Think I'm going inpatient
 

ok so I it looks like i'm willing to accept the inpatient treatment after having a discussion with my father. All that's left to do now is leave the telling of my mother to a family friend and tell the psych Monday that I accept.

I'm scared but somewhat relieved that it's out in the open and hopeful that going voluntarily will be an advantage etc etc. Does anyone have any advice for me at all? I know getting through the door will be absolutely horrendous but unfortunately it's the only thing left to try.

Oh maybe useful to know im diagnosed with mdd, PTSD and suicidal tendencies. Suicide watch will be expected for at least the first few days I know and also they'll be making sure I'm spewing my food up. Is there anything else I should be forewarned about? Any words would be much appreciated x

Inpatient can be very helpful, if you work with the staff and not againt them. I have been both voluntary and sectioned.

When you get there they will usually search your belongings, don't worry this is standard procedure to ensure you have nothing dangeorus. Depending on the hosptial when you first get there you will be on 1:1 for at least the first few hours. If they then think you are a big danger to yourself or others they can make the 1:1 last longer (When i was sectoned i was on 1:1 for 3 weeks) when i went in the first time i was on 1:1 for a few hours.

Usually if they are making sure you are not vomiting after eating you will be put on 1:1 for an hour or two after eating.

Inpatient has been massivly helpful for me, both getting my treatments right quicker and keeping me safe. I also met some wonderful friends there who had been through similar stuff

Going in voluntary is a big advantage - they cannot force treatment on you, and you can get leave more easily etc

Hope that helps if you have any questions send me a PM xx

Basically the same as above though i have never been sectioned or admitted for an ED but i did have four psychiatric admissions some years ago mainly for my suidial tendencies and overdoses plus admissions to general hosp and a specialist poisons units.

They will search you and may not allow you to keep certain items on you.They will monitor and watch you closely especially when you are first admitted.There may be activities for you to do during the day and hopefully if there are they will be therapeutic.Please try to go to them if you can.Unfortuantely for me in the psych unit i was in for most of my admissions there was none to limited activities available during the day [glad to say the psych unit im referring to here has now closed] and you had to fill your own time so you may want to take some books etc or whatever you like doing so you can fill your time if necessary.Please try and make as much use as possible of this admission and the staff support when you there.You are really brave and i am so glad that you are going to go voluntarily too - that really is the best thing to do if you need to go and though ive only ever been threatened with a section if i dont go i understand that you have much more freedom and rights if you do go voluntarily rather than under section.

i really hope this helps you and will be thinking of you.You are so brave and making such a big step but this could really be a great turning point for you and i really hope it is.

Good luck and keep us informed of how things are [when you can/if you want to].

Best wishes.

xx xx

I really hope that this is the help you need. Your so brave. Keep in touch.
lots of love and huggies my ryl twin. xxx

I have never been searched though every single time I went in hospital. The nurses never asked if I had anything I could cut myself with or potentially dangerous either.

Everything I had was searched and there were huge restrictions on what we could have. Basically the only thing we were allowed to have with us was a composition book and a golf pencil (not even a regular length pencil without an eraser). No belts, obviously, no bras with wires in them (most bras unfortunately). No hoods on sweatshirts, no electronics ... pretty much nothing actually. But I've only been to acute treatment facilities which are probably different from longer term treatment places. The second two times I was also in scrubs for the first day or two.

I don't know how much you like writing but I would highly recommend getting a journal of some sort (not spiral bound though, because you could cut yourself with the metal). Writing down thoughts, song lyrics that come to mind, doodles etc was so good for me and other people I met. There will probably be things or people that piss you off or just other strong emotions or things to sort out and I think having a journal to do that is really great

I really hate the no bra one, I'm a bit...busty and had to go a week in a hospital gown with no bra. It was super embaressing and uncomfortable and I kept my arms crossed almost constantly in an attempt to hide everything :p

I was in a high dependency unit,
despite the name sounding safe etc there are still ways you can be unsafe and not contribute to recovery.
My advice, accept all the help you are offered, talk to people when you feel unsafe or down or just anything. Don't forget everyone is there for their own reasons and be wary that you still have a life outside of hospital and not to lose touch with it.

If you have time they do sell wireless bras. My mom bought me some while I was inpatient and they are actually quite comfortable (I'm not that busty though, so I can't speak for larger girls.) Sports bras work too.

Also teaparty is totally right. I got tricked into feeling like I wanted to beat the system and find ways to cut anyway. And there always are ways.

When I went into the ward they would search my belongings and they took some random things but also the kind of things you would expect.

Some of the things they took I was not at risk off but someone else might be e.g. I like diet coke so bought some cans during my stay and these were kept in the nurses office till i wanted one and once drunk the can would go back to the nurses.

Expect to loose all your freedom - it is highly unsettling but once you are in there they can't take your word per se and if you were to do anything it would be on there head so if you want to go out you will have to ask permission and this maybe refused or you may have to be accompanied by a nurse.

Expect other patients to be very ill this can be very unsettling at first but you do get used to it.

I would advise you to take some things to occupy yourself, reading books, colouring books, crossword puzzles.

Some home comforts e.g your teddy bear or a blanket that kind of thing

Do you have a laptop ask if that would be allowed and if so could you purchase a dongle so you can get online to watch some movies or t.v.

Omg no bras with wires? Sugar! All my bras are wired :( sports bras it is then. I'm totally freaking out now because I see my psych tomorrow and I don't know if Ill have to go straight away or what and I'm suppose to be working in the afternoon god this is all soooo scary but thanks for your replies. I fully intend to do my best to work with staff etc for my familys sakes and ultimately for my own. Hope everyones ok and I'll definetely still be in touch x