I heard a song today that I don't think I've heard since I was last in hospital. From about the age of 20, I was in and out of the MH ward on section and it was pretty horrible. I've been dragged from my house, stuck on a secure ward, lied to, tricked, injected, held down, blah blah blah. I haven't been in hospital for 18 months now, which is a long time, but the memories are so intense sometimes. Something will happen (like the song) and I'll be transported right back there. Scared and angry and irrational. Part of me thinks there was no need for any of it, but part of me knows I was fairly off the wall and bad things could have happened if I was left to my own devices. It's really difficult. I don't think I need advice. I just need someone to understand.
“Our defeats are softened and our victories are sweetened because we did it together.” - Toby Ziegler.
I don't have any experience of being IP, but I can relate to music triggering uncomfortable memories and how distressing it can be. Try to be kind to yourself during this time. It's okay to feel scared and angry when these memories are so overwhelming. Just remember how well you are doing and that things will become easier in time.
I think that the triggers become less intense over time. I happen to work on the adolescent inpatient unit on which I was a patient for months. It was hard for a long time and sometimes still but it gets better and I love helping kids that are in the same situation that I went through.
I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone; i experience the same thing.
I find relaxation techniques work for me when it happens, but i can empathise and understand how distressing it can be x
I understand how you are feeling. Next week will mark a year since I was last sectioned. I feel kind of proud of myself but terrified at the same time. It was such a difficult and emotional time, I'm worried the stress of the memories will end up with me being sectioned again. You are certainly not alone though, stay strong.
certain songs (and smells!) do the same with me. in the long run, i guess the best thing is to desensitize yourself to them by experiencing them in safe and nuetral contexts, to unlearn the association
this is my magical medicine cabinet. Left to right they contain: courage, hope, calmness, and strength.
The magical part: They NEVER run out, so borrow some any time you want.
I can understand. I've been out of hospital over a year now, but I still have pretty frequent nightmares about it. I panic if I unexpectedly bump into staff/patients who were there with me, going past the hospital on the bus makes me anxious. Sometimes it's even things like certain meals that remind me, and catapult me right back there in my head.
I don't really have any advice, just wanted to let you know you're not alone.
I have experienced the same thing a few times before. I'm not really sure how you get over it. I guess I just try to say to myself: that is in the past now and at the time I needed intense help because I was very unwell. Then I try to get on with my day. It's not normally as simple as that like others have said it dose get better over time.
Hugs
The average,
well-adjusted adult
gets up at 7.30am feeling just plain terrible.
Call me Kate.
I have dyslexia so please excuse my poor spelling and sometimes poor understanding.
I find the same. So many things I can associate with being sectioned. I don't know how to cope with it, although it is better than it was. I used to not be able to eat jacket potatoes with beans (that was the main veggie meal on the ward) for ages after I was discharged without getting flashbacks and feeling anxious.
"Never be a spectator of unfairness or studpidity. The grave will supply plenty of time for silence." Christopher Hitchens
'When words fail, music speaks'
I am transsexual and homoromantic and proud to be.
