4 ms·

I was in the psych ward a little while back and had an absolute breakdown while I was there. They had security put me in the observation room behind the nurse's

by creep 8y ago

I was in the psych ward a little while back and had an absolute breakdown while I was there. They had security put me in the observation room behind the nurse's station, which is just like a room with thick glass on three sides and curtains on the outside and a mattress on the floor. I was losing my shit. When I finally calmed down around 2 AM, a nurse came in with a little bottle of lavender essential oil. She asked if she could put it on my pillow. I had the best sleep of my time spent on the ward, and started using it when I was discharged. I had wonderful dreams, I was calm in the morning, I was comforted, I felt safe.

bfuller 8y ago
If anyone is interested in experiencing this (sans psych ward melt down) lavender sachets to put in your pillow are really very nice.
- toomanybeersies 8y ago
  Hops (as in the beer ingredient) are also a traditional sleep aid to put in your pillow.
  - accrual 8y ago
    On the topic of traditional sleep aids, I found chamomile capsules [0] to be a safe and effective sleep aid. I previously worked exclusively overnight and tried many herbal supplements, finally settling on chamomile as my favourite. [0] https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Chamomile-Flowers-Capsules/dp/B0006U3QJQ https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Chamomile-Flowers-Capsule...
ghostbrainalpha 8y ago
That's terrible, but great Lavender is helping. Did the Psych Ward cause your breakdown or make it worse? I always that people were having the breakdown first, and then you would go to the ward after. How long do they take to discharge you after a breakdown?
- creep 8y ago
  I was admitted before that, but while on the ward I had a few breakdowns (or "episodes"). I think the psych ward made it worse in some ways and better in others. It was safe, there was a routine, and other crazies to talk to, which made me feel like I had a community. But sometimes the nurses were condescending, rude, or lacking any empathy, and despite how safe it was I also didn't want to give up my freedom. I felt "bad" for being there, like the universe was punishing me because I didn't follow the "plan", so in that way it was even kind of traumatizing, especially considering that I witnessed other people on the ward having episodes and going through a really hard time. Sometimes it was like hell and sometimes it was the only place I ever wanted to be. It depends on what kind of breakdown and what the problem was to begin with. Some people hurt themselves when they have an episode, and those people usually get another week or two tacked on, sometimes more. I didn't hurt myself so I was discharged on normal time (about three weeks). It also depends on how well you respond to treatment even after an episode. The main thing is showing signs of recovery and having an "action plan" that you draw up with your doctor and the nurses for figuring out your life after discharge.

by creep 8y ago

bfuller 8y ago

If anyone is interested in experiencing this (sans psych ward melt down) lavender sachets to put in your pillow are really very nice.

toomanybeersies 8y ago
Hops (as in the beer ingredient) are also a traditional sleep aid to put in your pillow.
- accrual 8y ago
  On the topic of traditional sleep aids, I found chamomile capsules [0] to be a safe and effective sleep aid. I previously worked exclusively overnight and tried many herbal supplements, finally settling on chamomile as my favourite. [0] https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Chamomile-Flowers-Capsules/dp/B0006U3QJQ https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Chamomile-Flowers-Capsule...

ghostbrainalpha 8y ago

That's terrible, but great Lavender is helping. Did the Psych Ward cause your breakdown or make it worse? I always that people were having the breakdown first, and then you would go to the ward after. How long do they take to discharge you after a breakdown?

creep 8y ago
I was admitted before that, but while on the ward I had a few breakdowns (or "episodes"). I think the psych ward made it worse in some ways and better in others. It was safe, there was a routine, and other crazies to talk to, which made me feel like I had a community. But sometimes the nurses were condescending, rude, or lacking any empathy, and despite how safe it was I also didn't want to give up my freedom. I felt "bad" for being there, like the universe was punishing me because I didn't follow the "plan", so in that way it was even kind of traumatizing, especially considering that I witnessed other people on the ward having episodes and going through a really hard time. Sometimes it was like hell and sometimes it was the only place I ever wanted to be. It depends on what kind of breakdown and what the problem was to begin with. Some people hurt themselves when they have an episode, and those people usually get another week or two tacked on, sometimes more. I didn't hurt myself so I was discharged on normal time (about three weeks). It also depends on how well you respond to treatment even after an episode. The main thing is showing signs of recovery and having an "action plan" that you draw up with your doctor and the nurses for figuring out your life after discharge.