Lived Experience Forum

[Fast_Cars_Are]

After a couple of weeks in an acute psychiatric ward, I moved on to a recovery centre and was surprised by how much I missed some of the patients I'd spent time with on the ward.  I had an intense time and despite the circumstances - or perhaps because of the setting - am left with a bunch of fond memories.

Anyone else felt the same?

[Former-Member]

Hi and welcome!!
When I was in hospital I didn't meet anyone except a lovely lady who had a traumatic brain injury that affected her memory so she couldn't remember much and kept thinking she was getting on a plane - I ended up looking after her a bit as she was a handful for the nurses.
But i was in a general ward as there wasn't a specialist mental Health ward available then (there is now though)
I think it's great that you were able to form those connections at such a tough time.
How are you travelling at the moment?

Lj

[Fast_Cars_Are]

Thanks for your welcoming reply.  I'm well and back home, and looking forward to reading more of the forum.

[darkelf]

hullo, yes I have had that experience too! The bond that can develop between us patient is a precious thing indeed! I remember the last admission I had there were these stupid rules about tea and coffee. The deal was that you couldn't have either after a certain time at night and early in the morning. I know "are you for real?", yep thats right. So a fellow inmate and I used to hide teabags in our socks, and as we were both 5am risers we could get a cup of tea then, as long as we avoided "bargearse" the night nurse who was hardcore. So there we were with our naughty tea at 5.15am feeling like kings! I guess the other thing that makes the time go a bit faster is the counselling that happens quite naturally between people in unusual circumstances, and acute psych wards are just that, strange place to find supporters or even friends I know but it happens! I still have regular contact with a bloke I met 12 years ago in the local ward. He and I struck up a frienship and we still have heaps in common even after we lost contact with each other for a while. I have to say that for the majority of the admissions that I had this did not happen outside tha ward all that often. I was very careful who had my number.....

[Fast_Cars_Are]

What an image about the tea!  Thanks for your reply.  

[Former-Member]

🙂 dark elf I loved your description about the tea!!
I also realised that I have made friendships here on the forums in a kind of similar sense that I've found more common ground amongst people who understand!!! Thanks for sharing!

[Appleblossom]

I had a similar feeling when I was visiting the ward every day for my son ...

I connected with young people going through hell as well as trying to help my son....  just wanted to be a friendly soul passing by ... for them

I have never been an inpatient but all my immediate relatives have been .. so I highly identify ...