Ask a guy who just spent a week in a psych ward anything.

[JoJo Bizzaro 7]

Some background would be nice. Why were you in a psych ward?

Depression/ Suicidal attempts/ Intents on homicide

Someone on another forum (wayyy back) said most of the patients don't talk much, is that true?

Depends on where you are. I live in Louisiana, so the people I lived with were... irritating to say the least.

What's the structure of the day like, there? Do you have, like, activities and scheduled appointments with a doctor every day, long therapy sessions? Are visitors allowed? Also, what sort of proximity is it in to the rest of the hospital, if it's even nearby at all? Are you allowed to wander around pretty freely depending on your condition?

It's for a book. I need to know these things.

We are let out of our rooms at 7:45. Our blood pressure and temperature is taken, we take our meds if we have been prescribed any, and randomly we are selected to pee in a cup. Throughout the day we gather together in groups(girls on one side and boys on the other) to discuss why we are there, how we are feeling, and how we can better ourselves. After each group we disband. Everyone has there own little cliques. Midday, we see our psychiatrist(the length of the session varies from person to person). At around 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 visitors are allowed. At 8:00, depending on our behavior throughout the day, we are either sent to bed or allowed to stay up an extra 30 minutes.
We are not allowed to wander the hospital, but we do get to go into the courtyard depending on our behavior.

You know, I really should have put all of that in past tense.

 

[Burningsok]

how many times did you bang your head on a wall to get rid of the voices in your head. (I kid, your not crazy.)

 

[badgersprite]

What's the structure of the day like, there? Do you have, like, activities and scheduled appointments with a doctor every day, long therapy sessions? Are visitors allowed? Also, what sort of proximity is it in to the rest of the hospital, if it's even nearby at all? Are you allowed to wander around pretty freely depending on your condition?

It's for a book. I need to know these things.

We are let out of our rooms at 7:45. Our blood pressure and temperature is taken, we take our meds if we have been prescribed any, and randomly we are selected to pee in a cup. Throughout the day we gather together in groups(girls on one side and boys on the other) to discuss why we are there, how we are feeling, and how we can better ourselves. After each group we disband. Everyone has there own little cliques. Midday, we see our psychiatrist(the length of the session varies from person to person). At around 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 visitors are allowed. At 8:00, depending on our behavior throughout the day, we are either sent to bed or allowed to stay up an extra 30 minutes.
We are not allowed to wander the hospital, but we do get to go into the courtyard depending on our behavior.

You know, I really should have put all of that in past tense.

Thank you so much for answering all of that. That's immensely helpful, and it cleared up a lot of stuff I would have gotten totally wrong, since my best reference before this was my Dad, who is a doctor, but doesn't work in this field. I feel like I should give you a credit in what I'm working on. =D

 

[Devil's Due]

(removed by the National Security Agency)

 

[Omikron009]

What's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

 

[JoJo Bizzaro 7]

Meet any nice people?
How's the food there?

My roommate, Robert, was nice enough. He farted on me a lot, though.
The food was hospital food. Not much to admire. The oatmeal looked, felt, and tasted like Styrofoam.

While I am interested in the story, I have some questions first. Number 1: what was the cleanliness like? Were orderlies (psych wards use orderlies, right?) milling around collecting trash and changing pants?

We kept the area pretty clean. I was in the adolescent section(wing?) We were kept away from the really hardcore psychotics. THAT is where the messes usually came from.

Some background would be nice. Why were you in a psych ward?

Not the best question me thinks... but since he opened up to it, I guess it's worth asking.

I would like to ask, what kind of music do you like?

I like all kinds, but my favorites would have to be house/dubstep/electronica

Did you write the book of love?
And do you have faith in God above (if the bible tells you so)?
And do you believe in Rock n' Roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

No.
Nope.
Yep.
Yesh.
Nein.

 

[enriel]

I had a friend who claimed that Psych Wards were worse than prison. Yeah?

 

[PrototypeC]

OK, 2nd question... could I get some info on the courtyard? Was it basically benches, trees and a garden to enjoy the sunlight, but ultimately empty?

3rd question would be how strict were the orderlies? Did any go on power trips or otherwise stick out in a bad way? Were they known by name?

 

[JoJo Bizzaro 7]

Did that sleeping schedule take some adjusting to?

I can't see myself going to bed at 8:30 or sleeping for around 12 hours (unless I'm sleep deprived).

I had books to read, and my roommate had was always good for conversation when he wasn't talking about his bodily functions.
I didn't really sleep that much.

how many times did you bang your head on a wall to get rid of the voices in your head. (I kid, your not crazy.)

Too many times, man. Too many times.

Thank you so much for answering all of that. That's immensely helpful, and it cleared up a lot of stuff I would have gotten totally wrong, since my best reference before this was my Dad, who is a doctor, but doesn't work in this field. I feel like I should give you a credit in what I'm working on. =D

Anytime, dude.

What's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

Which? South African or... nah, too obvious.

 

[JoJo Bizzaro 7]

I had a friend who claimed that Psych Wards were worse than prison. Yeah?

No. You still have a chance in society if you make it out of a psych ward.

OK, 2nd question... could I get some info on the courtyard? Was it basically benches, trees and a garden to enjoy the sunlight, but ultimately empty?

3rd question would be how strict were the orderlies? Did any go on power trips or otherwise stick out in a bad way? Were they known by name?

2: It was relatively small. It had benches by the doors, vending machines in the middle, 2 basketball courts, and trees in the corners. It was cloudy for the majority of my stay.

3: We had many, but only 3 really stuck out and had some control over the rest of us; Mr. Kelly, Ms. Jessica, and Mr. Saeed. They weren't power-mad or abusive, they seemed to legitimately care about us.

 

[enriel]

I had a friend who claimed that Psych Wards were worse than prison. Yeah?

No. You still have a chance in society if you make it out of a psych ward.

They had a reputation for being a drama queen, so that's what I figured. Thanks for your time sir.

 

[JoJo Bizzaro 7]

They had a reputation for being a drama queen, so that's what I figured. Thanks for your time sir.

Always happy to help. =)

 

[Nouw]

Meet any nice people?
How's the food there?

My roommate, Robert, was nice enough. He farted on me a lot, though.
The food was hospital food. Not much to admire. The oatmeal looked, felt, and tasted like Styrofoam.

While I am interested in the story, I have some questions first. Number 1: what was the cleanliness like? Were orderlies (psych wards use orderlies, right?) milling around collecting trash and changing pants?

We kept the area pretty clean. I was in the adolescent section(wing?) We were kept away from the really hardcore psychotics. THAT is where the messes usually came from.

Some background would be nice. Why were you in a psych ward?

Not the best question me thinks... but since he opened up to it, I guess it's worth asking.

I would like to ask, what kind of music do you like?

I like all kinds, but my favorites would have to be house/dubstep/electronica

Did you write the book of love?
And do you have faith in God above (if the bible tells you so)?
And do you believe in Rock n' Roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

No.
Nope.
Yep.
Yesh.
Nein.

Call me crazy but the first thing I read was 'Styrofoam.' Ask Sacman... Anyway thanks for answering!

 

[DiMono]

Self committed or "volunteered"?

 

[jmroutson1988]

What's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

A 5 ounce bird cannot carry a 1 pound coconut

 

[JoJo Bizzaro 7]

Call me crazy but the first thing I read was 'Styrofoam.' Ask Sacman... Anyway thanks for answering!

Goddamn spell checker, man.
Anyway,it was my pleasure to deliver.

 

[JoJo Bizzaro 7]

Self committed or "volunteered"?

Mandatory. Felt bad, man.

 

[Ekonk]

Were there any total batshit insane crazies there? Or just people with relatively mild psychological problems?

 

[brainslurper]

Um, I know this sounds kinda stupid but why were you in there