[Buttercup.]

Would you be admitting yourself to a hospital psych ward, a private psych hospital, or a state hospital?

The procedures are typically all the same in my experience (I am in the US and have been involuntarily and a few times voluntarily admitted to a variety of psych hospitals).

It usually starts with being medically cleared in the emergency room. This starts with the typical stuff, vital signs, bloodwork, and a urine test.

Once you are medically cleared, the psychiatrist or social worker who works with the hospital will evaluate you. Ask the typical questions about how you are feeling, safety, and if you are having any psychotic or dissociation symptoms.

This can all be a long process. A lot of waiting because they have paperwork and have to work on getting you a bed and such.

Being sent to the hospital/ward they will start with a search and some vitals. During admission you usually meet with a nurse, mental health worker, and a psychiatrist. They will all ask you a lot of the same questions. Typical psych evaluation questions, medical/psych history, family history, social history, and reasons for admission.

They will choose what level you are on. There are usually levels such as 1:1 which is for those who are acutely symptomatic and will otherwise harm themselves or others if at a less restrictive level (REALLY not likely for you if you can contract for safety/tell a staff member if you are feeling unsafe). In my experience the next level is where you are unit restricted and need to stay in staff monitored rooms during the day like the day room/group room. They may have your belongings locked up. You probably will not have bathroom privacy while using the toilet or showering. The next level in my experience you are able to go to off unit groups, fresh air, and spend time in your room. They will probably give you access to your belongings. Up from there there are privelages that you have to earn. Like leaving the unit by yourself to go to the cafe or outside area for periods of time and day passes. For all patients there are fifteen minute checks where a mental health worker will just peek there head in your room or wherever you are and check off that you are safe/where you are. At the beginning you may be on five minute checks.

After going through admission with the nurse, mental health worker and psych, they will probably show you your room and kind of orient you to the unit and rules and get you settled.

A typical day usually starts with vital signs, meds, breakfast. And then groups, meals, and snacks during the day. The groups are usually things like goals, coping skills, CBT, DBT, anger management, relaxation, yoga, expressive/art, and some others. Depending on the type of hospital/ward, you will see therapists and such during the day.

There is typically a staff member assigned to you each day who is kind of your 'check in' person who you will check in and see how you are doing and be the person who you can go to if you need something. It could be a nurse or mental health worker.

The second day you are there you will most likely meet with your team which will definitely have a psychiatrist and a social worker who will do a lot with your treatment plan and discharge planning. In my experience the team has also consisted of a nutritionist (I'm an ED pt so it might be different), occupational therapist, psychologist, nurse, and sometimes some interns or students may be there.

I've had a TON of experience with hospitalizations. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask or PM me. I think it is a really good choice for you to be admitting yourself voluntarily before a crisis does occur!

Jess xo

Added a few things. There is usually a quiet room where you can voluntarily or involuntarily decide to go in. There is usually one that is used for seclusion, but can be used if you need to be alone and kind of calm down. It usually has dim lighting and a mattress on the floor or a bed to lay on. The other might be a 'comfort room' where there is a couch, tv, radio, books, etc. This one you usually can sign out for half an hour or hour slots just to have some time to yourself and use coping skills.

For free time there are games, crafts, cards, tv, etc. You are usually also given a journal upon admission.