Lockdown and psychiatric wards

ever wondered what it’s like in a psychiatric hospital?

It’s like lockdown, only you’re far, far worse.

You’re miles away from home, full of strangers who you have to “live” with regardless of if you like them or not, with doctors who are able to control your every move.

Some staff care deeply about their patients but others could not care less about your wellbeing.

Want to stay connected with loved ones during your stay?

Well sorry, but you’re not allowed your phone or anything with internet access or a camera. You’re stuck with a nokia brick phone from the year 2000 that you can only use from 6:30pm - 8:30pm if you’re not on a ward that lets you keep your phone throughout the day.

If you’re allowed your normal phone then good luck trying to use it as normal. You won’t be allowed to take photos and you can’t use it in communal areas in case you do. You’re stuck with no wifi or if the ward has wifi then you’re better off without it because it’s slower than internet explorer

You can only go outside if your doctor has said you can and if you’re not old enough or lucky enough to be granted an independent walk then your 1 (one) daily walk is down to if the weather is okay and staff can be bothered. The same applies with the garden as you can see into it but feel like a little kid being withheld from going into a sweetshop.

All your possessions have been blacklisted all bar a few reading books, colouring books and pens. Don’t even think about bringing your pencil case as pencil sharpeners are banned. You can’t paint because it’s too messy and if you want to be creative then you’re stuck with the ward’s rubbish “craft” stuff that they bought from poundland that’s aimed at 3 year olds.

Your doctor decides if you can go back home to where you can spend a maximum of 3 nights. Time goes quickly whether you’re having fun or not - although infinitely faster than time spent on the ward where 10 minutes feels like 10 days. And it’s even worse when you have to spend a total of 4 hours travelling from the unit and then another 4 travelling back once your leave is over.

You actually look forwards to meals at home because the food is better than the hospital crap regardless of whether the person who cooks it has the culinary skill of a Michelin star chef or one of your typical university student.

There’s probably even more that I can add but I’m just thankful im not in hospital, let alone during this time