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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 57. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BrianBoru on April 24, 2006, at 18:40:47
I have suffered most of my life from depression. Last Monday, April 17, 2006, while vacationing in Myrtle Beach, I suffered a bout with depression. I called a local help line (which turned out to be based in Charleston) and asked to speak to a counselor. I thought that I was speaking to someone with some training in crisis management who could help me. This was not the case. The “case worker” merely alerted Horry County Police who came to my condo. At first, the officer who entered my condo was pleasant. He asked me if I would like to go to a local hospital to speak to a professional who could help me. I said yes. I was in fact taken to Conway Hospital in Conway, SC. Upon arrival, I was stripped of all of my clothes, placed in an isolation cell with only a vinyl mattress, and then asked to give up my cell phone. I said no – I wanted to either call my wife or an attorney. I was told again that I had to give up my telephone, and again I refused until I spoke to my wife or an attorney. At this point three hospital “security officers” entered my “cell”. I was told that if I did not give up my phone, there were five police officers waiting outside who would come in to help take my phone away by force. Again I reiterated that I would not give up my phone until I was allowed to contact my spouse and an attorney. At no time did I pose a physical threat to the security officers, nor did I approach them physically. How, after I again refused to give up my phone, I was beaten, Maced, sprayed with pepper spray, and my phone was stolen from me. The three officers immediately ran out of the holding room, locking the door behind them. After use of the Mace and pepper spray, I was blind for a period of about two hours. I suffered severe facial swelling which lasted more than 48 hours.
I spent a total of about 6 hours at Conway Hospital. During that time I never saw or spoke to a physician. I was not provided with medical treatment. I repeatedly knocked on the door asking the nurses for help. I was completely ignored. I finally managed to get the attention of one nurse. I informed her I needed to defecate and asked what to do as there were no toilet facilities in the isolation room. The nurse said “Just crap on the floor” and walked away from me.
Finally a sheriff’s deputy showed up to transport me to a private mental health clinic called The Lighthouse which is located directly across the street from Conway Hospital. At the hospital’s request the deputy brought handcuffs and leg irons with him, but he refused to use them as he could see that I posed no danger. I was allowed to simply follow him out of the hospital. He drove me across the street to The Lighthouse. From the moment I entered The Lighthouse I was given complete freedom as the staff realized that I did not pose a danger to others in any way. I remained at The Lighthouse for three days and was then discharged. I returned home to Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 22, 2006.
It is my contention that my civil rights and civil liberties were completely denied to me by Conway Hospital. In addition, I was treated brutally and criminally by hospital staff. I suffer from a disease, a mental illness. Depression is not a crime, it is an affliction equivalent to diabetes, or other metabolic or biochemical illnesses. The fact that I was denied legal representation, as well as access to a doctor and other medical personnel, is in my mind tantamount to a gross denial of my civil rights as a patient and my civil liberties as a citizen. My lack of access to a physician and nursing care is I believe a case of medical negligence, if not malpractice.
Please don't suggest I contact a lawyer. I have - many times. When the hear the words "mental health" or "depression", they won't talk to you. One even hung up on me.
Posted by verne on April 24, 2006, at 20:33:37
In reply to Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse, posted by BrianBoru on April 24, 2006, at 18:40:47
I think there might be some advocate groups you could contact - nationally and locally (for that area) that represent the mentally ill.
Another thought is to contact the state attorney general and state authorities overseeing hospitals. An advocate group could probably steer you in the right direction.
Verne
Posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2006, at 21:34:17
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse, posted by verne on April 24, 2006, at 20:33:37
Sounds like the cell phone started the terror you went through although the staff was callous. Did you ask to use their phone? As in hospitals cell phones interfer with equiqment and no one even visitors are allowed to use them except in special places. But the defacate was totally out of line and she should be reported immeddiately to her superior. Love Phillipa
Posted by BrianBoru on April 24, 2006, at 21:40:18
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse, posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2006, at 21:34:17
Let me fill you in on thing - this happened in SOUTH CAROLINA. For those of you who do not live in the US, South Carolina is widely known as a bigoted Third World Country all its own, populatedd largely by violent hillbillies. They're not with the rest of us in the US. They've even talked recently about seceding from the Union again. You can complain all you want to anyone you want down there. No one cares. This is the state that wants to fly the Confederate flag, a symbol of racism and slavery, over the State Capitol building. Need I say more ?
Posted by Dinah on April 24, 2006, at 21:56:03
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse, posted by BrianBoru on April 24, 2006, at 21:40:18
> Let me fill you in on thing - this happened in SOUTH CAROLINA. For those of you who do not live in the US, South Carolina is widely known as a bigoted Third World Country all its own, populatedd largely by violent hillbillies.
I recognize that you are upset, but please don't post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down. Since posters on this site could be citizens of South Carolina, please be sensitive to their feelings.
In order to post on this site, Dr. Bob asks that we follow the civility guidelines he's put forth.
If you want to review them, or are interested in alternate ways of expressing yourself, you might want to look at the FAQ.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
If you wish to discuss this post, or any other administrative action, the proper place is the Administrative Board. Just change the board at the top of the "Enter Your Post" screen. Any responses to this post, or to the previous post, should of course themselves be civil.
Deputy decisions are subject to review and reversal by Dr. Bob. If you wish to contact him directly, his email is at the bottom of each screen.
Dinah, acting as deputy for Dr. Bob
Posted by Dinah on April 24, 2006, at 22:48:45
In reply to Please be civil » BrianBoru, posted by Dinah on April 24, 2006, at 21:56:03
Here is a link.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20060412/msgs/636780.html
Dinah, acting as deputy for Dr. Bob
Posted by cricket on April 25, 2006, at 8:18:23
In reply to Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse, posted by BrianBoru on April 24, 2006, at 18:40:47
BrianBoru,
Ugh, that sounds horrible but unfortunately I am not surprised at all.
Part of me wants to rage and say you have to contact someone. You have to fight this.
Another part of me says they are not worth one more ounce of your energy.
I think you should pick another vacation spot though. There are certain places that do not deserve any of your money.
Posted by BrianBoru on April 25, 2006, at 8:23:30
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse » BrianBoru, posted by cricket on April 25, 2006, at 8:18:23
Cricket,
I've already made the decision that I will not set foot in South Carolina again. We own property in Myrtle Beach - it's for sale. In fact, I'm reluctant to even cross the Mason-Dixon line.
We spoke to my wife's cousin this morning - he's a DA here in Pensylvania. He said that in addition to medical malpractice, there is a definite Federal Civil Rights violation, probably a South Carolina Civil Rights violation. We're going for the Federal.
Brian
Posted by cricket on April 25, 2006, at 8:51:19
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse, posted by BrianBoru on April 25, 2006, at 8:23:30
Yes, I'd go for the federal too. I hesitate to say more because of a potential block.
If you turn on your babblemail, I'll send you an e-mail.
Posted by MidnightBlue on April 25, 2006, at 10:49:05
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse, posted by BrianBoru on April 24, 2006, at 21:40:18
You sound very upset, and I am sorry about your experience, but I lived for several years in South Carolina and did not find it to be a third world country or full of the kind of people you you describe.
> Let me fill you in on thing - this happened in SOUTH CAROLINA. For those of you who do not live in the US, South Carolina is widely known as a bigoted Third World Country all its own, populatedd largely by violent hillbillies. They're not with the rest of us in the US. They've even talked recently about seceding from the Union again. You can complain all you want to anyone you want down there. No one cares. This is the state that wants to fly the Confederate flag, a symbol of racism and slavery, over the State Capitol building. Need I say more ?
Posted by BrianBoru on April 25, 2006, at 10:56:31
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse » BrianBoru, posted by MidnightBlue on April 25, 2006, at 10:49:05
Posted by verne on April 25, 2006, at 11:05:16
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse » BrianBoru, posted by MidnightBlue on April 25, 2006, at 10:49:05
Brian,
As I said on the redirected thread over on the administrative board: I find your experience believable and your perception, valid.
You could substitute Oregon (my home state) for South Carolina, and I would say the same thing. It's all swell and good that I've had mostly good experiences in Oregon but that's no reason to dismiss your experience as less than valid.
My reaction would be, "let's look into this" especially if it happened in my own backyard.
Verne
Posted by BrianBoru on April 25, 2006, at 14:36:04
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse, posted by verne on April 25, 2006, at 11:05:16
Posted by zeugma on April 25, 2006, at 17:29:41
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse (nm), posted by BrianBoru on April 25, 2006, at 14:36:04
hi Brian.
Is there a particular reason why you're posting with 'nm'?
I am appalled at what you have been through. just wanted to say that.
-z
Posted by Racer on April 25, 2006, at 18:19:57
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse (nm), posted by BrianBoru on April 25, 2006, at 14:36:04
Two comments:
1. Careful not to click the box that says "no message, just post above subject" if you're actually posting a comment. It'll swallow your posts, as you can see above.
2. I went through a terrible experience a couple of years ago, although mine wasn't a few hours, but over a year's worth of misery that left me in very bad shape. Two years later, I'm still suffering, and trying to recover from it.
I did complain, to the state and local authorities that licensed the facility in question, and the licensing boards of the individuals involved. You know what happened? I sweated, suffered, questioned myself and my own perceptions of things, etc. It was hellish. And none of the licensing agencies did anything at all. They told me there was nothing wrong with what happened to me. You can imagine how I felt about that, right?
While I am appalled by what you describe, my personal advice to you is to let it go. Work on recovering from your depression, and if you still want to take action once you're back on your feet, there's still time to do it. Trust me -- you do NOT want to go through that process while you're still actively depressed.
Again, I have no doubt that what you described did occur, and I'm profoundly sorry that you had to go through it. It's just that, from personal experience, I wanted to warn you that the complaint process is another opportunity to feel brutalized. Think carefully before you commit yourself to it.
Oh, and do check out the Civility guidelines for this site, at http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil This is a great site, with a lot of support and empathy and all the rest -- BUT part of what makes it a great place to find support is that the civility guidelines are enforced. The first warning is a "Please be civil" from either Dr Bob or one of the deputies, but after that, you can be blocked for anywhere from one week to one year. I'd hate to see that happen to you, when you've just found this place.
Peace.
Posted by sleepygirl on April 25, 2006, at 21:44:43
In reply to Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse, posted by BrianBoru on April 24, 2006, at 18:40:47
I am sorry to say that there are likely many instances of mentally ill individuals being mishandled (that's a nice way of putting it) and treated more like criminals
ignorance runs rampant in many places within the "mental health system"
some people working in mental health really shouldn't be- due sometimes to ignorance, sometimes due to the abusive nature of said individuals, and sometimes there is a poorly planned and executed system for dealing with situations that could be handled in a humane and professional manner - many issues....complicated by many things - and the mentally ill are less able to have their concerns sincerely recognized, and so they become less "visible" and more likely to be discounted
this of course is a generalization
your situation was reprehensible -
be well, take good care of yourself and know that you are a person worthy of respect and compassion (in case this experience left you in doubt)
Posted by BrianBoru on April 26, 2006, at 8:40:48
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse » BrianBoru, posted by sleepygirl on April 25, 2006, at 21:44:43
sleepygirl,
Thanks. I needed that kind of support. Your message meant a lot to me.
BrianBoru
Posted by BrianBoru on April 26, 2006, at 8:56:06
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse » BrianBoru, posted by Racer on April 25, 2006, at 18:19:57
Racer,
I had an appointment with my own doctor just after returning home (I kissed the ground when I crossed the border into Gettysburg. Now I know how escaped slaves must have felt). Anyway, we discussed the hospital situation. I went through a similar situation once here in Pennsylvania. I was taken to the Hershey Medical Center (yeah, that Hershey - Chocolate Town) where I was seen by no less than 3 doctors and four nurses as well as a social worker, all in 3 hours). I was in a normal room in a normal bed. I wasn't left in a locked cell sitting on a vinyl mattress soaked in my own urine and blind from Mace, with no doctor or nurse in sight. This is the difference in mentality between where I live and where I was (I won't mention the names - I have to be civil (even though I'd like to steal the faces off some people's heads)). It's incredible. I was planning to retire elsewhere in a few years, but no more. I'll stay in Pennsylvania for good. There really are two Americas. This has nothing to do with the general populace of either America, but with the rule-makers in each of them.
Posted by BrianBoru on April 26, 2006, at 17:31:15
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse » BrianBoru, posted by Racer on April 25, 2006, at 18:19:57
Progress ! I got the South Carolina Health Licensing Commission to open a case and begin investigating my ordeal. Let's hope they get the truth and not a bunch of falsified records (I would expect the latter) and that they can actually do something about it.
Posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2006, at 18:02:04
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse, posted by BrianBoru on April 26, 2006, at 17:31:15
Brian I hope so as I live in Charlotte NC and it quite lovely here. I've worked in VA Beach, Conneticut, and North Carolina in psych and I have never in my life heard of the thing you describe. Mace? It has to be illegal. Were you in a little town with one gas pump on your way home? I think what happened to you is horrible and you know it gives psych a bad name. I haven't worked in 8 years due to mental health issues myself and been in the hospital some better than others but never ever did I see or hear of anything like this happening. Love Phillipa
Posted by BrianBoru on April 26, 2006, at 18:09:22
In reply to Re: Help Dealing with Hospital Abuse » BrianBoru, posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2006, at 18:02:04
Philippa,
Conway is a town of about 12,000 and is the county seat of Horry County, where Myrtle Beach is located.
I never would have believed that such a thing could occur until I found myself right in the middle of it. We spent 16 years going on family vacations to that area. One of the things that makes me the saddest is that now those good times are gone forever. I could never go back.
Brian
Posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2006, at 18:17:55
In reply to Re: Help with Hospital Abuse, posted by BrianBoru on April 26, 2006, at 18:09:22
Unbelievable I figured maybe a "hick" town somewhere in the middle of nowhere. I'm sorry but I wouldn't go back either. Love Phillipa
Posted by Racer on April 26, 2006, at 18:25:25
In reply to Re: Help with Hospital Abuse, posted by BrianBoru on April 26, 2006, at 18:09:22
>We spent 16 years going on family vacations to that area. One of the things that makes me the saddest is that now those good times are gone forever. I could never go back.
> BrianBrian, could you separate the town, and your good memories of it, from the psychiatric ER where this happened? I know it was traumatic for you, and I can certainly both sympathize and empathize with you, and I even feel a lot of anger and frustration at even the idea that this sort of thing goes on. What happened to you there was WRONG.
But that's only one event, out of sixteen years, one building, out of how many there? Couldn't you salvage the town itself from the behavior of those few people?
Again, I'm very sorry that you went through this, and my comments in no way indicate that I don't believe you.
Peace.
(By the way, you mentioned being black, are you also large? Tall, muscular, etc? It's wrong, and I still see it happen -- LARGE black men are frightening to a lot of people. Sometimes including other large black men... Again, I'm sorry you went through this, no matter what variables went into it.)
Posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2006, at 18:31:01
In reply to Re: Help with Hospital Abuse » BrianBoru, posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2006, at 18:17:55
Brian my favorite is VA Beach, next where I moved from Emerald Isle, and then My Daughter's favorite Hilton Head. I know what you mean though as I had my first panic attack living in Florida and everytime I go there I am reminded of it and this is over 30 some odd years ago. As a matter of fact last summer we were briefly there and had one again. So I really empathize with you. Love Phillipa
Posted by BrianBoru on April 26, 2006, at 18:40:14
In reply to Re: Help with Hospital Abuse » BrianBoru, posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2006, at 18:17:55
I might get flagged again on this one (at this point I'm so depressed about this whole thingthat I really don't give an alligator's behind), but the South plays by a different set of rules than we do up North, and its a set of rules that I can't tolerate. I'll either stay in the North or find some nice place with a beach nearby that I can retire to. Can you imagine what the rest of the medical care in that hospital must be like ?
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