Experiences with Psychiatric Care

I went when I was about 13 for self harm.. it was very traumatic & I don't feel like I got the help I needed from it. they just gave me 4 different medications & let me leave after a week.

i did, as a teenager (in an adolescent psych ward). it’s hard to say if it was a good experience or not, or other things like that, since it is a place people go to when they are in such a low place, and are often forced/semi-forced to go (at least at adolescent ones), as i was. it was not a good experience, but i cannot say that was fully because i was treated awfully or anything (although it wasn’t great…), because i know that my mindset and reason for being there and stuff greatly impacted my experience and stuff. i also have an awful memory in general, and the nature of a psych ward hospital visit probably doesn’t help me with remembering it on top of my generally bad memory.

I used to work at a psych ward and recently quit because many of the staff there didn’t care about the patients or do their jobs. If you can avoid hospitalization, don’t go to a psych ward. Many times, it makes you feel worse because you have less freedom and can’t see your family/friends except for 30 minute visits 1-3 times a week.

I've been 3 times at different stages of my life. When I was 14, 19 and 23. All were very different. The first and last were good programs. I finally got on meds at 23 and it was the best thing for me, I was able to have my meds adjusted while receiving constant care. Those two really helped me, had groups during the day. Those were both in the suburbs of Chicago. The middle one was in boofoo Iowa and was terrible. No groups or anything. I was in my room pretty much the entire time. Had a gross roommate. Not helpful in the slightest. But the other two were very helpful and def what I needed at that time. Honestly every place is different. I would do your research and read reviews, see what kind of programs there are. If you go to the right place, it can do a lot of good.

I went once in 2019. I had a good experience. I didn't want to leave. And the food was weirdly delicious for a hospital.

hi i’ve been several times and i’m gonna be real with you it’s scary and it sucks the first day or two, but it usually ends up being helpful in the end i have checked myself out early before because i hate the feeling of being trapped and not being able to leave it’s nice though to have constant care and the nurses and doctors be able to adjust your medications while making sure you’re not reacting badly to them

i’ve been several times, some were awful and some were actually not bad at all. do research, and find a place your insurance covers with the best reviews you see

Yes, I've been admitted to a psych ward. The first time was really scary because I was led to believe that I would have a private room and a one on one Dr. to help me. Well there was men and women on one floor and let's just say I was scared to sleep at night. So, I went to another place to get help.

I have been ✋ only in the regular hospital though. I went twice. I actually had a good experience. But that’s because most of the people in there were around my age. So doing group therapy and connecting was easy. The second time was different, but still necessary for me.

Yes several friends have gone, unless you need to be 5150’d, need to escape from a dangerous situation, or you’re rich enough to pay for some luxury spa retreat version I wouldn’t recommend it, most of my friends who have gone to in patient have had very traumatizing experiences there. Outpatient isn’t nearly as effective at doing what the psych ward is good at but it’s usually not nearly as harsh of an experience afaik.