I was discharged from the Psych. Unit today after 16 days!

As I said, I was just released after over two weeks and I've seen new friends being discharged before me.  I am hoping that my new Psych pals will see this and decide to call or email me.  I gave them my cell phone number and information and encouragement to utiliyze this wonderful forum.  I just forgot to get their contact numbers and I really want to chat with them again. 

ANYONE FROM THE FAIRFAX PSYCH UNIT, PLEASE EITHER CALL ME OR EMAIL ME!

To everyone else, I would love to hear how you or your loved ones managed to survive the first week or two after being discharged from intensive inpatient therapy.  I am not afraid to admit that I'm scared.  Although it was not totally safe inside the hospital, its totally not safe outside the hospital.  I'd stay inside if it wasn't for my wonderful and supportive wife.  However, even she has her limits and prefers I speak with my new friends or chat/post on this website. 

I hurt her so bad when I went to the ER [as per my instructions from my Psychiatrist] and was admitted.  It got worst when a supposed 3-5 day stay turned into 16 days after showing my scars and giving demonstrations to student nurses!  Yeah, not my best day, nor my proudest moment.  Ha, it got me time in the quiet room and I liked it so much I ended up moving there for the remaining 3+ days. 

Anyways, I'm looking forward to replies and reconnecting with my Psych. buddies.  I'm glad to be back posting on this site where I can find help, advice and friends and where I can also help others. 

Hi Charles,

I have never been hospitalized, but my mom was so I was at the psych ward a lot. I don't have the experiences you did though as I was an outsider. But i saw a lot as a little kid. It was kind of scarey for me then.

I am just wanting to say I am gald that you are back. Keep posting...

Hugs, Karen

Jade, Karen, Jim...

Hey guys, I have so much more I need and want to share in better detail regarding my hospital experiences, but I'm sure you can understand that right now I owe my wife some attention.

One thing I realized from my stay was that I NEED a structured and scheduled day. My wife is playing hookie from work on Monday to spend it with me. However, she won't attend my Psychiatrist appt. on Monday. Of course this is totally fine with me, since I have a lot to discuss with my Out-patient Doctor. Later on, down the therapy path my wife will join me in a mtg or two. Just like I convinced her to for my In-patient mtg. Besides, I'm not ready to tell my wife that I couldn't even get past one night without self harm...

Anyways, guys I will write a bunch more after Monday to share and I will do my very best not to be too vague or too detailed. By writing my experiences I am using it as a constructive form of distraction. I will also have time during the day where I MUST work on my book about Policing in a Small Town. Oh boy do I have stories of corruption, abuse, bravery, life saving...etc.

When I knew I was heading towards a certain hospital stay, I searched in vain for posts where others have shared their experiences, but came up empty handed. After suffering multiple disabilities that include the need to self catheterized myself I have long ago stopped feeling ashamed or embarrassed. That's why I will gladly post as much info. As possible re: my ER visit and subsequent Psychiatric Unit Stay. I hope my experiences can help others in one way or another. As a former Police Officer I lived to serve and served to live! This is yet another way I can possibly help save lives and remain useful!

I will post a new thread when I am ready, which will be sometime Wednesday.

Take care!

Thanks again Karen.  You are so lucky, cuz you're going to be the first person to read my future posts!  Yes, to avoid having any of my future posts edited with a statement advising my post was edited due to suicidal or self harm talk... I'd rather you edit it first, if necessary.  This way I can journal without having to police my true thoughts or memories, etc.  What I keep in my journal will be slightly different than what the world can see, unfortunately.  Yeah, yeah I get the triggering thing, it's just that I write from my heart and then I'm too tired to edit it later, hahahaha!   Heads-up, my wife returns to work on Tuesday, so I'll be posting a new thread where I will recount my recent Psychiatric hospital visit.  I told a few of the nurses to check out this website and if they do they may find that they are honorably mentioned!   Except for one incident and losing my pants belt, I was treated fairly and professionally.   I made a few friends and if you can believe, I kind of miss the place and my doctor!  

Thanks, I'm angry with myself though...I thought I made a special connection with another patient and stupid me gave my contact info. To her and neglected to get hers and now I can't contact her. I worry if she is doing okay. I told her all about this website...I brag about it to everyone and anyone. I was hoping she would check it out and see my post asking for her, but I got nothing. I will remain angry with myself for not getting her contact info. and I will also remain worried sick over her well being and safety. This is not like Megan, she would have tried communicating with me... I'm very upset over this.

Also, I'm still harming myself, so I still have far to go and I'm afraid my doctor will send me back! I have scars now on 70% of my body and they are forever scars... I'm so ashamed and scared. My two feet are badly swollen and I just started taking a water pill for it, but they remain morphed and I'm also concerned. I hope by tmw they will show signs of improvement.

Yay me!

Post Edited (No Worries!) : 5/21/2012 9:23:44 PM (GMT-6)

Karen,

The day I relax is my final day here. I don't want to let my guard down, but thanks for the advice.

You're right though, she probably lost my contact info. Oh well, I'm sure ill be sent back inpatient, so ill see her then or at least I won't make the same mistake twice.

Later,

Charles