HOW TO GET OUT OF A PSYCH WARD OR MENTAL HOSPITAL!
Hey there! In this video, I share some valuable tips on how to get out of a mental hospital or psych ward. Whether you’re an involuntary patient, waiting for placement on a hold, or simply sick of being there, this video is for you. As a psychiatric nurse who has worked in several mental institutions, I know firsthand how staff can be egotistical, and I explain how to play their game to get out sooner. This means complying with their rules, taking medications, attending therapy groups, and behaving in a way that shows improvement and gratitude for their interventions. If you’re struggling to advocate for yourself, I offer advice on how loved ones can help. If you’re looking for ways to leave the institution, make sure to watch this video for some practical tips and tricks. Remember, the ultimate goal is to be discharged, and anything that doesn’t help achieve this should be avoided.
49 Comments
I should probably clarify: if you are taking psychiatric medication and you are experiencing unwanted side effects, you definitely should let the prescriber know. When I said "bitching" about the medication, I wasn't referring to informing your prescriber about unwanted side effects :). And when I said is what you're doing now helping you to get out of the institution, I really mean: is what you're doing looking favorable for you? will staff talk about it positively in shift report? if so, continue doing it, otherwise. . .change your behavior.
dont fall they will manupliat for you to stay
Unless a med is court ordered, you have a right to refuse it just like any other med.
Yes, what is it with all the narcissists and borderlines in the psych field???
This is exactly what my elderly husband did when his just out of school physical therapist called 911 thinking he sounded suicidal because of all the pain he had from his multiple sclerosis. My husband had no idea what happened or what he said to warrant a call and was brought into a room with 3 policemen barraging him with questions. Because he was scared and thought he was being arrested, he had a meltdown and that was enough for them to ship him off to our local hospital for a psych ER eval. The police report was brutal, I was called to verify my husband's story which I did but because of what the therapist said in her report they chose not to believe me and shipped him off to an inpatient psych facility for 6 days. I was dumbfounded to say the least, my husband is one of the happiest and positive people who has to deal with incredible pain on a daily basis for 30 years now. This was all over the Christmas holiday so with staff shortages, covid issues and a holiday skeletal crew, he was just mostly ignored. Two doctors met with him and didn't think he was suicidal at all and called me to verify his history. But that therapist report had them scratching their heads so they had to err on the side of caution. I told my husband exactly what this psych nurse said, play along because they're in charge and you can't fight them and can make it much more difficult. Putting someone who's severely disabled into involuntary psych care is especially dangerous, he was extremely lucky not to have an MS exacerbation under their watch. The psych doctor didn't even know what it would look like so I had to tell him. He's now experiencing traumatic stress from the whole ordeal. The physical therapy company is hiding behind a statute even though nobody found him depressed or suicidal. The only thing I can do was to pull him out of that therapy company (reported the event to the VP, it got nowhere) and he doesn't even want to see anyone for the traumatic stress for fear of the same thing happening. It's a very vicious circle to say the least. Thanks for this video.
If you are in there, then there is a reason
Someone in psychosis will not understand this
Why fight anyone if this is just a dream? Why demonize anyone when everyone is identical to myself? This makes our entire way of being a delusion of epic proportions!!! I just wanted it to be real! Why struggle so hard when this 'world' is infinitely perfect! All our problems were conceptual. But without imaginary problems, what is left? The sweetness of struggle is gone. Such a mind fuck! My entire worldview was just a mental circle jerk! Why did I waste so much time defending my beliefs? I could have spent more time admiring those beautiful psychoactive plants outside my compound. So many beautiful plants! Don't worry… No self, no problem. So this is the gateless gate. How can you argue with infinite nothingness? Checkmate. This, cannot be unseen. I want to spend more time fucking those squirrels in my garden. And satsangs on thursdays. The circle is complete.
You prove why they need to be sued and clearly does not have the patients interest at heart. What
If everyone should kiss doctors ass to save their lives. You indirectly prove why black people are more that twice as likely to be mistreated and die in a hospital. I am disgusted! This prove this have nothing to do with the patients and everything to do with money and ego.
This is why we need bench trial level standards for looking people up for psych issues.
Your right
I didn’t talk to any of the staff at all and they let me go after a week. They also gave me way better food than everyone else because I refused to eat for 2 days. I knew they had more food back there
JUST talk to the dietitian and don’t make anyone think you have any severe issues.
I actually want to go to a psychiatric hospital because I am getting close to that depressed, I am struggling to hold down a job I can't focus and nothing engages me. I wish i never took Seroquel extended release…if I did that I'd still have my desire for life and ability to choose to be excited for the future and all the things i could do.
I don't want to have the people who care about me end up sad and I want to fins a good one in my area that will not just slap me on antipsychotics but different drug classes with therapy and cognitive exercises to help me train back what I lack thanks to Seroquel
I had a doctor that wanted their ass kissed.
What I learned was don't talk with people if you want to get out. I'd stay in my room and not talk to anyone. I realized that the more you talk the more you let out. Especially if your psychotic you'll say all the wrong things.
As the mother of someone who volunteered themselves, would temporary poa help at all?
Not going to happen. I told my doctor after he mentioned this to me that he has the right to put me in there. I will not go.
But then as nurses how do we determine if the pt is actually getting better and not going to run back home and fall into the same bad habits or suicidal attempts ?
I just came across this video and I agree with you, it’s very helpful information. I hope more people will see this and learn from it .
Damn. The way this man describes mental institutions makes it sound as though they are traumatic rather than therapeutic. (because they are) Also, it sounds more like the staff there are more interested in obedience than they are in the actual well being of the patients. Why psychiatry hasn't been abolished by now is beyond me. (actually, it's because it brings in a lot of money)
(EDIT/UPDATE: I'm too embarrassed to wear that bracelet after realizing that it might appear neurotic; no idea why I hadn't thought of that before ordering it. I'm glad to be done with those SSRI side effects, and I hope I have no reason to think about them again.
Also realized that mentioning dopamine on a medical bracelet might make me appear not just neurotic but also psychotic, thus inviting a higher likelihood of needing the advice in this video. I know that SSRIs don't directly block dopamine but didn't know how to best communicate emergency-related wishes on a bracelet. I'd guess that an advance care directive would be better. Anyway, original comment is below.)
Do psych ward staff usually obey orders on medical bracelets? My bracelet lists medical conditions and also says, "DON'T BLOCK DOPAMINE! RLS, PARKINSONISM, AKATHISIA." (I have yet to be committed, but I could imagine it happening due to a misunderstanding because I'm weird and hobble around with poor balance and don't always have a more normal-seeming person with me in public; thanks for the video!)
Do you have any advice for what to do if the staff abuse you and make up misinformation about you? Multiple staff members treated me a lot worse than the other patients in each of my four psychiatric hospitalizations. I haven't been in a psych ward since 2017, but I'm currently still on an AOT order for an anti psychotic that is having horrible effects on me. More misinformation is given about me at every hearing. It's different every time, so it's difficult for me to adapt to it. I'm not allowed access to my full record for some reason. I finally managed to get partial access in 2022 after sending a HIPAA form to each hospital, but I still don't have most of my records.
No. I did nothing he said except follow the group schedule. Reason is you have to show you are capable of understanding the process and that you have to do it. However, I got out after 18 hours. I would not stop telling any staff me member who talked to me that I shouldn’t be there and why. I did not seek them out. I also made sure not to speak to the other patients as a mental equal. I don’t mean seek someone out and degrade them. However, if another patient approached me and they were obviously not 100% mentally fit I would interact with them on their level. Just to clarify further I’ll give an example, there was a younger guy who was interested in my shirt and then kept asking about it and then started drawing it. I did not walk away nor was I rude. However, I made it clear to the staff by the way I acted towards him that I believed he was not well and I could show compassion towards them without acting like I would be a perfect fit as his new best friend. He was so excited because he was “going home after his last visit with the psychiatrist after being there 23 days”. I left that day. He did not. It’s a sad but cruel truth. If you were in the same situation but in this example for some reason (only for arguments sake) a child approached you and you acted as if you were a mental equal you’re not going anywhere. I hope this helps someone without coming off as if I am degrading asshole like the nurse who would give me a rude comment about my pre-existing prescription I was on and the dosage every time I would get it.
I've been to the psych ward twice and let me tell you, its one of the most corrupt places you can end up. I was lured and tricked into going into these places. And after I came out I was placed on a treatment order against my will. Even now I'm on the order. I never thought I'd end up in such a corrupt situation and I have to play by their rules. They frame you and scare you half to death. Take my advice and just stay on the right path and don't end up in dangerous situations like this.
Dont let them catch you. Dont speak with any therapist at all. If someone reports something like a statement you made and the cops show up. Dont let them in your house. I will lie and tou should too. Keep it a secret if your going to do the brave thing and take matters into your own hands and solve your problems. The groups,counciling,meds and all that do not help you. Thease places are not good for anyone.
What about being there because of an eating disorder? They’re gonna get me in soon, I could just kill myself the day before but that’s just plan b if I can pretend everything is better now without eating I won’t have to do that
this is a hallmark of a failed mental health system. try getting misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and forced to take Haldol for 3 years when you actually have a dopamine deficiency due to temporal lobe ADHD. its not about playing their game. its about how mental health has become a min/max corporate scheme in capitalist America
You have the right to not take the medications if involuntarily
Please contact me its the patient from Israel i lost access to my email. Please its urgent.
Please contact me its the patient from Israel i lost access to my email. Please its urgent.
It's not great news…..infact it's scary…..but your advice is kind of you. I have been in these places….and your right. No matter what even if the medication hurts seriously take it….and act right even when it's next to impossible. It's basically do or die ….thanks sir
And how can you actually break out and force them to let you go? I’ve been taken multiple times and I am sick of being held against my will there. And if I am ever sent back I need a way for them to shut up and let me out. That is if I am ever forced to go back.
Can u help me
The only way I got out is to play their game. I refused to ask for any meds because I didn’t need any. Not even Tylenol. I ate all of my food, I did the activities, couldn’t sleep well, but I did socialize with others that were well enough to speak. I almost got stuck there. They told me I was lucky I had family members that loved me and wanted me home. They fought for my freedom because my words did not matter. I got evaluated several times and nothing was of about me . I feel like they wanted to force me to stay for a payout. Some lady could not get out because her husband said she was a danger to herself and she completely lost it in there 😢long story short I had to play the part as you mentioned, act as “normal” as possible. I was in there for 5 days. Worst time of my life! I have trauma because of it
PS: I got sent there after one drunken night I had. THE WORDS YOU SAY WILL MATTER AND DETERMINE YOUR FREEDOM. DO NOT TRUST SOCIAL WORKERS
Thank you so much for this video the mental health institute is a trap
im a care giver my patient refuse to take her meds wasnt eating she refuse to go to the hospital so her boyfriend 302 her now she in pottsville psychward the doctor refuse her to come home she blind what else there for her to do the doctor acuse me of her alcohol but there was other aides before me she been a acoholic sice she was 13 i feel bad for i love her so much now i lost my job i have to look for another job the doctoc dont want to talk to me so i can explain to him
Dude you nailed this! I have never heard someone speak so clearly and cogently about this experience, and in doing so you evoke the trauma that comes from finding oneself suddenly locked up for struggling with mental illness.
I went to the psych ward it suck
Also if you tell them you didnt get enough sleep they would keep you longer
Is there a way to do this while refusing medication? Would it just be easier to cheek it?
can someone get me out of a psychatrie in Germany?
werneck k6.
cant go back home because of police maybe the us army can help.
Name Latzel Fabian.
forcing pills on me…
i have no place to live.
SERE training comes in handy
Im not psychotic but this definitely applies to a personal experience
"Wonderful psychiatrist" is an oxymoron. Theyre all abusive, mentally ill freaks.
Just say Hollow,Dull,Thud all the time. If any doctor is wise to this they will kick you out.
This guy is crazy
Thanks, I’m now in the car of some girl with her dog
1:34 not doing that
You are so right ..I was telling the Psychiatrist his job and how to do it better ..would not join their stupid groups throwing a ball at each other ..refuse meds ..so that was about 20 weeks banged up with Bipolar Disorder and Psychosis….!