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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 29. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by alienatari on October 19, 2007, at 22:15:01
I guess I am posting this because at the moment I seem to be obsessing over the past.
I remember when I went to hospital the psychiatrist that saw me took me off my antipsychotic and mood stabalizer and anti-depressant( I was originally on tofranil but he said i could kill myself on it so he put me on prozac I think) , put me on benzo's too..
The first week was ok, nothing much happened and I was not feeling too bad. I was bored one night and they had a board in the room which had a list of symptoms of depression. I changed "dry mouth" as a symptom to "dry anus" because I thought it was funny but I didnt expect the reaction that I got. They went through all the patients over the next few days asking who wrote it and I owned up. After that every day in group was basically everyone yelling at me for writing "dry anus" on the board. This went on for days. Then the psychologist thought it was a great idea for me to appologise to everyone in group personally about writing dry anus on the board (even though I appologised in group). The last person i appologised to said he was going to break my arms or something like that. I told the nurses that someone was threatening to cause physical harm against me and they said something stupid like "they have signed a piece of paper to say they wont be violent, they cannot be violent" lol. It was a private hospital and so you know it was not locked up, you can leave as you please (even though your not suppose to). and of course, they had no security. It was late and i was terrified from this guy so I barricaded the room so no one could get in and then the nurses went crazy at me and gave me some more benzo's to sleep. I walked out the next day never to return. One of the worst experiences of my life all because i wrote "dry anus" on a board I mean come on its not that bad!!!!!! I should not have written it buts not as if i killed someone!!!!!
That is when I had my psychotic episode or whatever it was, when I left the hospital and I ended up going back to my first psychiatrist for a few months and my records said I was manic when in hospital (really dont think i was) which led him to put me on a combo of lithium/valproate and zyprexa (plus an antidepressant and a benzo). Later tegretol was added (in my opinion this is insane.) I got fed up with this and was very sick from this combo of meds, so I went to my most current psychiatrist who took me off everything and put me on clomipramine/antipsychotic/valium and later lithium.
As you probably know if you have read my other posts he was/is convinced I am a meth addict and I had a methamphetamine psychosis (even though I have never had the drug).
My friends say public hospitals are a lot worse which I guess is true (when my ex girlfriend was in hospital, and yes I am gay but she was gay too so it kinda worked lol) the hospital she stayed in was really disgusting. When i visited her all you could smell was urine and pot, the smell was everywhere. Ive had other friends that have been in this hospital and they have told me that was the first time they ever used recreational drugs.
I forgot to mention that I was at a hospital called "Bankshouse" too at one point, which is a public hopsital In Bankstown (anyone in Sydney been there?) as a out patient and it was just as bad (if not worse) than maquarie clinic in Liverpool hospital (which is where my ex girlfriend was). But I could leave obviously as I was an outpatient.
Are psych hospitals this bad in America?
Posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2007, at 22:42:46
In reply to do hospitals ever help?, posted by alienatari on October 19, 2007, at 22:15:01
Alien most or all are locked units. Chemical dependency was unlocked though. I know your story and what you say is true med wise. In my opinion only I hear they have gotten worse in America but no I feel you are safe in a hospital it's their job to keep you safe. Phillipa
Posted by alienatari on October 19, 2007, at 23:35:41
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » alienatari, posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2007, at 22:42:46
I think in some of the privately run ones here atleast they have no way to keep you safe. You can walk out anytime regardless of your mental state (though I am sure they would probably follow it up if you were suicidal or a threat to someone else but who knows. I came in for a suicide attempt and was far from well and there was no follow up or anything for me. I just walked out never heard from the place again). The place I was at had no security (apart from some old man that was a security guard at the door). Apart from people making the food and cleaners, the staff was mostly just nurses (who obviously run the place) and doctors that would come in a couple of times a week to see patients. Plus they had 1 main psychologist. If someone were to try and hurt someone else, atleast at the hospital i stayed at, they would in no way be able to stop them. I dont know the word for it but there were no people that were there that were trained for such an occurrence.
The two public hospitals that I have seen (never stayed at either though but was an outpatient at bankshouse) seemed to do everything in their power to shut the patients up by letting them do pretty much anything. All I can remember seeing were cigarettes, pot and piss lol. Its horrible.
> Alien most or all are locked units. Chemical dependency was unlocked though. I know your story and what you say is true med wise. In my opinion only I hear they have gotten worse in America but no I feel you are safe in a hospital it's their job to keep you safe. Phillipa
Posted by obsidian on October 20, 2007, at 0:40:31
In reply to do hospitals ever help?, posted by alienatari on October 19, 2007, at 22:15:01
Posted by your#1fan on October 20, 2007, at 0:51:05
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » alienatari, posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2007, at 22:42:46
alien im sorry you had hard time. Im scared of any psych hosptial because, well, if i ever went into a hospital it would be private.
do benzos and phenothorizes help with this condition?
Posted by Sigismund on October 20, 2007, at 1:02:20
In reply to do hospitals ever help?, posted by alienatari on October 19, 2007, at 22:15:01
I was in a voluntary psych hospital once and eventually they told me I would have to take breakfast with everybody else.
So I sat down to breakfast and this woman says to me
'Why are you in here?'
'Um....'
'For not taking your medication?'
'Er....'
'Or for taking too much?'
'Ughhh..'
Posted by beachbum on October 20, 2007, at 6:41:10
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help?, posted by Sigismund on October 20, 2007, at 1:02:20
I work in 'regular' hospital and in our 'newsletter' a lot of former pts write how satisfied they were with the care on that floor and thanking them.
I was in one latest in 95 and I didn't think it was helpful, but I guess they tried. I remember wearing this blue jean vest with many pockets and no one searched, I did have cigarettes and some other non- allowable things I could have 'done things' with. Didn't understand that one but I did it cause first time no one checked me either. So 'safe' was debatable........
Posted by beachbum on October 20, 2007, at 6:47:12
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help?, posted by beachbum on October 20, 2007, at 6:41:10
I've taken some pts over to that wing [[same floor where working]] after medically clear and they take all belonging to check and basically person only has hospital gown with them till they check everything else.I would hope most are like that for pts safety.
Posted by Squiggles on October 20, 2007, at 7:21:26
In reply to do hospitals ever help?, posted by alienatari on October 19, 2007, at 22:15:01
It shouldn't be that way; mental health care
should be anything BUT bureaucratic. It sounds
like you have to be extra polite and careful with
your behaviour and what you say. That's one
thing that is probably true in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" [btw, does anyone know where
that title comes from?]Even as an outpatient, i make a point to be
courteous, self-controlled, and rational when
speaking to medical staff. Once or twice in
30 yrs. i was assertive about my treatment, but
never really rude, even at times when i wanted
to be rude. I know that an ill-considered word may trigger an idea, a wrong idea about my
conditionto the staff. That's because they don't see and talk to you every day to see how you really are. Nevertheless, a friend of mine almost blew the whole balance by making a dumb suggestion about my true diagnosis being a mistake 27 yrs. ago-- that i was really probably schizophrenic. The person is blessed with the gift of the gab, sounds like a judge, so the dr. had confidence in what he heard and tried to give me antipsychotics and more tranquillizers. With friends like that, who needs enemies? That's like
gaslighting. I did not take them, and gratefully,
my doctor was liberal enough to believe that i could tell if i needed them or not. But i imagine that if i were brought to a hospital with that story, it could be a different decision.
There must be some good small hospitals or clinics, though. The poor places have it the worst.Squiggles
Posted by bleauberry on October 20, 2007, at 15:22:24
In reply to do hospitals ever help?, posted by alienatari on October 19, 2007, at 22:15:01
No. Hosipitals are not conducive to psychiatric healing. Been there done that.
I could design a good hospital for psych patients. It would include detailed testing of all kinds of biochemistries that are not usually looked at, customized highly nourished meals, swimming pool, far infrared sauna, lots of sunshine, large rooms, wide hallways, lots of gymnastic activities, various colors so not everyone is in the same colored pajamas, an oasis room with lots of plants and waterfalls, and doctors who are paid a meager base salary but who can earn double what any other doctor can make based on questionnaires rated by exiting patients, performance based pay.
Just dreaming. Short of that, no, hospitals are not good for psych patients. Just my experience. I was no better when I left than when I went in. No one else was either.
To be fair, I do know one guy who was suicidal, admitted to the hospital, never been on psych drugs before, responsed real well in days to prozac, and he left a new man a week. A few people do get lucky in Las Vegas too.
Posted by Sigismund on October 20, 2007, at 15:48:25
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » alienatari, posted by Squiggles on October 20, 2007, at 7:21:26
Children's counting story, perhaps.
>Chief Broom mentioned this in the book; he comments that it was a game he would play with his grandmother when he was a child:
Tingle, tingle, tremble toes
She's a good fisherman
Catches hens
Puts 'em in pens
Some lay eggs.
Some lay none.
Wire, blier, limer lock
Three geese inna flock
One flew east,
One flew west,
One flew over the cuckoo's nest
O-U-T spells out
Goose swoops down and plucks you out
This is variant of the William Matrimmatoe chant:William Matrimmatoe
He's a good fisherman.
He catches hens,
Puts them in pens.
Some lay eggs.
Some lay none.
William Matrimmatoe
He's a good fisherman.
Wire, briar, limber, lock.
Three geese in a flock.
One flew east.
One flew west.
One flew over the cuckoo's nest.
Wire, briar, limber, lock.
Out goes you, old dirty dish rag, you.
Posted by Squiggles on October 20, 2007, at 16:03:37
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » Squiggles, posted by Sigismund on October 20, 2007, at 15:48:25
Interesting; thanks -- reminds me of
"ring around the rosie"; i have not
read the books but the reviews seem
unanimous in praising the film over
the book, even though the author does
not think the film reflected the book;
i think i'll pick it up in the library.Squiggles
Posted by cumulative on October 20, 2007, at 16:29:14
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » Sigismund, posted by Squiggles on October 20, 2007, at 16:03:37
>he reviews seem
unanimous in praising the film over
the bookNo way, IMNSHO the book is a true classic. The movie is good for a movie but it doesn't even compare.
Posted by Sigismund on October 20, 2007, at 16:42:37
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » Sigismund, posted by Squiggles on October 20, 2007, at 16:03:37
>the reviews seem unanimous in praising the film over the book
Really?
The book made a big impression on me when I read it 30 years ago. It may have been of its time, perhaps?
(I can't remember seeing a film which I thought was as good as the book.)
Posted by Maxime on October 20, 2007, at 17:06:19
In reply to do hospitals ever help?, posted by alienatari on October 19, 2007, at 22:15:01
Actually I think that "dry anus" is funny.
When I was in hospital one time (one of many), I was in group session and was asked "how did what Linda just share make you feel?". My god, such a cliche question! So I answered "horny". That didn't go over very well, but I was so fed up with these useless communication sessions that I thought a little humour was needed.
Lots of mistakes have been made when I was in hospital ... like stopping a med cold turkey etc.
Unless you are going to kill yourself and need to be safe, I don't think hospitals are useful at all.
xxx
Maxime
Posted by Maxime on October 20, 2007, at 17:56:45
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help?, posted by beachbum on October 20, 2007, at 6:41:10
once while in the hospital I was allowed to leave the ward for 25 minutes a few time a day (I had my own clothes on). I would go across the street to pharmacy and by laxatives and razor blades and bring them back to the hospital. No one ever found out that I was cutting and abusing laxatives and I was there for a month.
Maxime
> I work in 'regular' hospital and in our 'newsletter' a lot of former pts write how satisfied they were with the care on that floor and thanking them.
> I was in one latest in 95 and I didn't think it was helpful, but I guess they tried. I remember wearing this blue jean vest with many pockets and no one searched, I did have cigarettes and some other non- allowable things I could have 'done things' with. Didn't understand that one but I did it cause first time no one checked me either. So 'safe' was debatable........
>
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2007, at 18:46:55
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » beachbum, posted by Maxime on October 20, 2007, at 17:56:45
Things must have changed since I worked psych as all patients dressed in street clothes all personal items and clothes were gone through before the patient could have them and the patient searched as well. Anything sharp, with alchohol like mouth wash, mirrors etc. the patient was issued a locker and they were locked up. Even blowdryers had to be signed out before using. The staff me included was trained in take down and restraints if needed and an order for a major tranquilzer to be given and the pdoc called. All got a regular physical too. Phillipa
Posted by Squiggles on October 20, 2007, at 19:22:08
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » beachbum, posted by Maxime on October 20, 2007, at 17:56:45
No one ever found out that I was cutting and abusing laxatives and I was there for a month.
>
> Maxime
>
>Sorry to interrupt... i am curious about
why you abused laxatives. Is that a kind
of dieting method?Squiggles
Posted by kaleidoscope on October 21, 2007, at 6:48:51
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » alienatari, posted by Maxime on October 20, 2007, at 17:06:19
> I was in group session and was asked "how did what Linda just share make you feel?". My god, such a cliche question! So I answered "horny". That didn't go over very well
Maxie, I just laughed so hard when I read that!!!!
Ed x
Posted by kaleidoscope on October 21, 2007, at 6:50:55
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help?, posted by Sigismund on October 20, 2007, at 1:02:20
D, that was pretty funny!
Posted by kaleidoscope on October 21, 2007, at 6:54:14
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » Squiggles, posted by Sigismund on October 20, 2007, at 15:48:25
I was once in hospital and the nurses locked this helpless old women in isolation just because she was making too much noise. She was confused and agitated so it wasn't her fault. I'm sure an hour in the isolation 'cupboard' was really therapeutic. Surely it would have been more helpful just to take her for a walk in the garden or something.
Posted by Maxime on October 21, 2007, at 14:08:47
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » Maxime, posted by Squiggles on October 20, 2007, at 19:22:08
> No one ever found out that I was cutting and abusing laxatives and I was there for a month.
> >
> > Maxime
> >
> >
>
> Sorry to interrupt... i am curious about
> why you abused laxatives. Is that a kind
> of dieting method?
>
> SquigglesIt's an eating disorder behaviour that doesn't work, but you lose water weight so the scale does go down. Does more harm than good. Once you start to abuse them, it's hard to stop.
Maxime
Posted by Maxime on October 21, 2007, at 14:11:18
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » Maxime, posted by kaleidoscope on October 21, 2007, at 6:48:51
> > I was in group session and was asked "how did what Linda just share make you feel?". My god, such a cliche question! So I answered "horny". That didn't go over very well
>
> Maxie, I just laughed so hard when I read that!!!!
>
> Ed xHey Ed *hugs*
I didn't plan on saying it ... it was the first thing that came out of my mouth. The people in charge didn't share our humour. :)
xxx
Maxie
Posted by Squiggles on October 21, 2007, at 15:10:20
In reply to Re: do hospitals ever help? » Squiggles, posted by Maxime on October 21, 2007, at 14:08:47
> It's an eating disorder behaviour that doesn't work, but you lose water weight so the scale does go down. Does more harm than good. Once you start to abuse them, it's hard to stop.
>
> Maxime
>I'd be afraid of an electrolyte disturbance,
and the drugs going up. For disorders like
anorexia and bulimia, lithium is a good drug
and it can be taken in small non-bipolar amounts.Squiggles
Posted by cumulative on October 21, 2007, at 19:00:39
In reply to do hospitals ever help?, posted by alienatari on October 19, 2007, at 22:15:01
You get rude, unprofessional, unmedical (i.e., refusing to treat benzodiazepine withdrawal with what is indicated, because "we don't help people who did stupid things") treatment and a massive bill.
I should have sued some of these hospitals.
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