For those who have been i/p before...

Avatar for tallyn75
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2003
For those who have been i/p before...
7
Thu, 11-02-2006 - 11:23am

What were some of the good and/or positive things about the hospital you were in?

I've been in three different hospitals (Parkside, TCBH, & Laureate). Laureate was the nicest by far and they didn't pressure you into going to groups (did encourage it though).

Parkside seems to have the most things to occupy your time and the facility and staff were nice.

TCBH was awful. I never want to have to go there again. The only positive thing I can remember from there was they gave you donuts every morning, which wasn't good for my waist.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 11-02-2006 - 11:34am

Hey Tallyn!

I've been to only one hospital, 8 times. Its one of the best facilities in the country, and it was VERY positive. Food was awesome...the groups got a little boring after a while, but were helpful. The nurses were awesome as well. We didn't get pressured to going to groups either. But they did try.

They focussed a LOT on taking care of yourself. Which is so good when you're in the midst of an episode. The other patients are always really cool and we bonded so fast. Kinda happens like that when you're locked up. lol.

There are other facilities here in Tallahassee that are awful. But since I have insurance I get to go to the behavioral health center. Thank God for insurance.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2006
Thu, 11-02-2006 - 2:16pm

We have several hospitals around that take psych i/p's. I have been i/p 5 times that I can remember. The first time when I was 16, took a lot of pills, blood pressure pills, not good. I was there for 2 weeks. It was ok.


The other times were after I turned 21.

     ~ Tina ~

Avatar for tallyn75
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2003
Thu, 11-02-2006 - 3:37pm

My issue isn't with the groups themselves.

When I first get on the ward, I am exhausted and usually need to sleep the first day and night, just to be able to function well enough to go to group.

And at TCBH they made us go to groups whether we were sleeping or not.

If we didn't go to groups they took away our mattresses.

Again, I don't ever want to go there again.




Edited 11/2/2006 4:38 pm ET by tallyn75
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 11-03-2006 - 7:25am

At one of the really bad facilities here, they lock you OUT of your room from 7 am to 9 pm at night. Its AWFUL!!! My brother was there for detox a couple years back and it was baaaaaaaaaad. He knew how good I have it over at the place I go, and he was mad! :)

The only thing about it now is you can't smoke there anymore. They give you a nicotine patch when you arrive...lol! Oh well. I guess its a good thing...but when people are either su, manic, or psychotic, smoking is the only thing you got!!!

Avatar for suziq_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 11-03-2006 - 12:50pm
i think it's barbaric.the majority of patients are catotonic & they gear the groups around them.there's no preparation for real issues.clearing the tables is about as deep as you get.the dr.s breeze in & out & give you whatever THEY think you need without input.the rest is like kindergarten busy work.the showers are grotesque & the dining rooms/lounge is just as bad.the staff is made up of people w/ attitudes,especially the night staff.the smoking issue is just cruel.
i've been in 10 DIFFERENT hospitals,so i know of what i speak.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 11-03-2006 - 1:13pm

I guess I'm just really lucky...the place I go is really awesome, except for the smoking thing...but its really clean, has great food, the groups are interesting...the leaders are awesome...the staff is okay...some of the psych techs aren't my favorite, but for the majority, it was overall very good.

On my ward (lol), they have 2 units. Unit 1 is for people like us. Unit 2 is for the really sick patients, so everyone isn't all lumped together.

The pdocs are really good too...you have as long as you need to talk with them too...I've refused certain meds.

I'm sorry you have had bad luck.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2002
Fri, 11-03-2006 - 1:24pm

I have been in several hospitals in the Phoenix area (Menniger, St. Luke's, Good Samaritan), one in Flagstaff (PAC), and one in Buffalo (Buffalo general). I think all the ones I went to in Arizona were good- they all had good groups and treated me well. Buffalo General was TERRIBLE! They had no groups- all you did was sit around all day, and I noticed that some of the nurses did nothing but sit around and read books all during their shifts.

Express!
Beth "Petrouchka"