Many of us know people who are afraid to get help with their mental health. It was frightening for me at 1st too. I've recently had several conversations with multiple people regarding their fears of visiting a psychologist. Many are afraid that they will be carted off and locked away. They think that they are so beyond help that someone would rather throw them in a pit than speak to them an hour a week.This cannot be further from the truth. I wanted to shed some light on the process and hopefully settle some fears for a few folks. Let me tell you about my experience with getting help the 1st time.
I was about 12 years old. Some rough things had happened in my family and a friend of my brother had try o do things to me that no one should do to a child...or anyone else for that matter. My father did the best he knew to do. Over the next couple weeks he started taking me to see a therapist. I've seen a therapist pretty much every week since then. I've had different ones because my family moved around quite a bit. Never have any of them told me I was too gone to help. Usually on the first day, you do some simple intake forms. These forms have basic questions that help the psychologist learn more about you so they can help more. The forms ask questions about your mood, any diagnosis you may have, and about your thoughts of yourself. Then you go and speak to your psychiatrist. If you are a minor, they may speak with you and your guardian or just your guardian 1st. After a couple weeks the "get to know you" stuff is pretty much out of the way and you are really able to start talking more by then. Your psychiatrist will help you figure out ways to cope with things. Self harm is a big thing I struggle with and it took a long time for my psychologist and I to figure out strategies. Several times I walked into the office with slices and bruises up my arms. My therapist never once "locked me away." She did ask me if I needed to go to a hospital and when I said "no" she asked me to sign a paper promising I wouldn't harm myself any worse within the next week. There were times when I broke down and said "yes." My therapist said "okay" then called the front desk to have them escort my father to the room. From there we were able to work out a way for me to get more help. I have had more than my fair share of time in psych wards as well. A friend of my recently attempted to "run away" because they found out their family was considering taking them to a hospital to get help.
For many of us, that is how the story starts. One day you think everyone around you has lost their minds and the next day you find yourself wearing non slip socks and talking in group therapy. Some people ask me if the wards really are like the movies. That's an understandable question. How is one to know if they've never been? I begin by explaining there are a few different types of wards. There are youth psych wards for people under the age of 18. I've been to several of them. 1st, there is a physical exam. They mark down every scar, bruise, burn, and scratch. They take your shoes (you can strangle yourself with the laces.) Some make you remove the underwire of your bra. You can do some deep stabbing with those things. You remove all piercings and jewelry and even the draw string of your pjs. All these things are placed in a bag for you that you get back at the end of your stay. Your days are scheduled out on a white board in a common room. Breakfast is usually around 7 or 8 am followed by medicine time. There is usually free time after that. Most people use this time to shower or get dressed. Normal day clothes are usually allowed. You have to check out a razor to shave and return later. Then there is some form of group time. Some places would also have school time and teachers would come in to help. Most places like this have lost funding and are being shut down. You may have a snack time later followed by more medicine time. There are puzzles, books, a tv, and sometimes video games or something to keep people occupied. Some places do outside time. You have to o through security to get in or out so its more of a hassle than its worth sometimes. There are adult wards too. These both usually have patients stay for no more than a week on a voluntary bases. When you leave they help you find a psychiatrist.
Then there are the long term hospitals. If you're from NC like I am then you may have heard of Broughton State Mental Institution. These are more long term places, but the basic idea is the same. Doctors usually do want to help.
Take are of yourselves. Get help if you need it.
Love, A Schizophenic
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