What is it like in a psychiatric hospital?
February 92010
I’m currently a psychology student and I’m exploring possible career paths. I would like to know what the environment is like in the hospital, how a typical day is, what kind of education is required in order to work in that field. I’m especially looking for serious answers from professionals, grad students, or former patients. Any other advice, experiences, or tips are welcome. (Tell me anything you think is important for me to know) Thanks!
When I was in the psychiatric ward I remember the staff being caring and compassionate people. The environment varied between a calm atmosphere to a lock down with lots of screaming and yelling from some belligerent patient. The typical day varies from place to place, but at the place where I was at the day was structured a little bit. There were some groups, occupational therapy, psychiatrist visits in the early morning, meals, snack time at the top of the hour, and one on ones with a mental health worker. I’ve looked at job openings for mental health techs in my area and they usually only require a bachelors degree. I must warn you that psychiatric wards have a high turnover for mental health care workers. I’m pretty sure the psychiatrists and counselors stick with it, but I don’t know about the average mental health worker.
If you do decide to work in one remember to keep an open mind and respect and care for your patients with professionalism no matter what the patients say or do to you. You may end up being physically or verbally abused on a daily basis. So make sure you really want to go into this field. I sure wouldn’t want to work in a psychiatric ward. Being a patient was hard enough even though the staff were kind people.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
I watched my mother pace the halls, argue with other patients, experience lock downs and generally be unhappy. The "professionals" lose their sympathy quickly; sad to say.
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It is anything but a vacation. It is a hardcore and sobering experience. My mother hated it and I hated going there to visit her. Compassion was non-existent.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
they feed you three meals a day, give you good drugs that make you high or sleepy and let you play ping pong, watch movies, smoke break. pretty much a vacation
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experienced
February 9th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
It depends on the facility and the administration. Both elements would dictate the answer to your question. If it’s a "posh" private place, with an administration that values the staff, it’s the best of all worlds.
If it’s a poor state hospital that is run by a current bureaucratic suit with nothing but the budget on their mind, it’s the worst environment in the world.
Most places are frankly more of the second example than the first. Good luck.
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February 9th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Offer to volunteer at one. They would be more than happy to give you a taste of what it’s like.
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February 9th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
My boyfriend was kept overnight in one last week. (long story.)
He told me it was horrible. The guards would yell and tease the patients who had issues. SERIOUS issues. He said the staff would cuss at them or ignore them. No one had any passion. No one had any feelings. HE said all the doctors who analyzed him were like empty shells. HE said it was the most horrible experience he had ever been in.
I wasn’t allowed to see him, talk to him, or bring him anything.
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February 9th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
You can work in a psych hospital with a H.S. diploma but won’t make much money. Receive your bachelors degree and then work on getting a masters degree.
Apply for an internship and find out first hand.
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February 9th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
They terrorize the patients. Then make the patients feel very angry at the mental health workers.
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February 9th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
I was in Torrance State Hospital in Pennsylvania for borderline personality disorder and depression. We went to 6-7 groups a day. We also participated in individaul therapy. We had 2-5 hours of free time a day. I’ve seen some crazy things. If you have any particular questions feel free to send me an e-mail It was an amazing experience and it saved my life. broken_faery_wings13@yahoo.com
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February 9th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
When I was in the psychiatric ward I remember the staff being caring and compassionate people. The environment varied between a calm atmosphere to a lock down with lots of screaming and yelling from some belligerent patient. The typical day varies from place to place, but at the place where I was at the day was structured a little bit. There were some groups, occupational therapy, psychiatrist visits in the early morning, meals, snack time at the top of the hour, and one on ones with a mental health worker. I’ve looked at job openings for mental health techs in my area and they usually only require a bachelors degree. I must warn you that psychiatric wards have a high turnover for mental health care workers. I’m pretty sure the psychiatrists and counselors stick with it, but I don’t know about the average mental health worker.
If you do decide to work in one remember to keep an open mind and respect and care for your patients with professionalism no matter what the patients say or do to you. You may end up being physically or verbally abused on a daily basis. So make sure you really want to go into this field. I sure wouldn’t want to work in a psychiatric ward. Being a patient was hard enough even though the staff were kind people.
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February 9th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Former patient this year teen
bec.dance@hotmail.com
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