Inpatient in psych wards

I was in a psychiatric ward after being detained (or sectioned) against my will for 4 weeks on a Section 2 under the Mental Health Act. Luckily for me there was access to a computer with internet access (although facebook was blocked), we had to share one television, there was musical instruments, a table tennis table, and social activities to do upstairs like circle time, cooking and arts and crafts. I think I was lucky in that aspect as some psychiatric wards have nothing to do in them.

However the staff didn't want the patients to make complaints about them or their poor or improper treatment, so they didn't inform us of our legal right to appeal to visit a tribunal, and they would confiscate our mobile phones if they found it in our dormitory so everyone kept it on their person.

By the way I love your snail.

Hi animalrant, 

Hmm, I have the opposite issue where I function much better in a psych ward than out (I am also in one now). Due to the daily structure, lack of taxing obligations or distraction (socialising isn't that huge a draw for me) and sympathetic nature of the social environment. Structuring my life in isolation / time blindness and resorting to addictive substances are a major struggle for me on the outside.

I can understand the potential of a psych ward to provoke sensory, social and emotional overwhelm and hope you are receiving good understanding and support.

Hi animalrant,

Thank you for sharing this with our community. 

While we are waiting for other members to share their experiences with you, you may find the following page helpful, as there're different guidelines in support of our mental health,  https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health 

Hope this helps!

Kind regards,

Eunice Mod