My usual psychiatrist on this ward is away this week, so I’m seeing a different psychiatrist for the week. Right off the bat he told me he’s hard of hearing and uses hearing aids along with some other device thingy to amplify sound. My speech is really soft, and it’s hard for people of normal hearing to hear everything I’m saying. Not a good combination, and I had to repeat everything, sometimes more than once. He also felt the need to dig into the minutiae my history, which I wasn’t particularly keen to go through once, much less having to repeat it all multiple times. It’s been exhausting.
I noticed while the doctor was flipping through my chart that there was a page printed off from my blog. I’m kind of curious when that was from. My psychiatrist on the ward here had asked if I wanted him to look at it, and I said no. I was thinking of telling him he could look at it, but then I changed my mind. So I’ve never actually given anyone my blog URL, although I’m pretty easy to Google, which apparently someone did.
My brother came by Tuesday evening to take me home to see the guinea piggoos. It was nice to see them. The babies have gotten scaredy-cat-ish from not having anyone around most of the time for the last couple of weeks. My mom is going to be coming to stay at my place next week, and it’ll be good for them to be able to get veggies daily rather than the couple times a week my brother is going over to feed them. My brother will come by again on Saturday to take me home for another pass, and he’s going to bring my niece along, who just had her second birthday earlier this week.
I ordered some colouring books from Amazon, and that’s the main way that I’ve been passing time. I’m not a group participation kind of person, so the groups they run here on the ward don’t interest me at all.
The ECT scheduling person is away this week, so I guess I’ll have to wait until next week to find out if they can bump up the treatments from two to three times a week.
I guess that’s about it for this update. Thanks everyone for your support – it really means a lot to me.
This 6-part series begins with Tales from the Psych Ward part I.
The post Cell Phones on Psych Wards—Yea or Nay? is the hub for all psychiatric hospitalization-related content on Mental Health @ Home.
I’m surprised you are allowed to have access to add to your blog. I wasnt even allowed my own pillow from home when I was inpatient.
They have a couple of computers for patient use in the ward dining room. I don’t get much access to my phone, though; my doctor has given me “privileges” to have it for half an hour a day.
You are showing lots of resourcefulness. Hope you get ect bumped more frequently. If psychiatrist can’t hear you, can they get a translator (aka yeller)?
I contemplated asking for a translator/yeller, but decided that might just make the whole thing more of a gong show. Today is the last day with deaf psychiatrist.
I always speak softly. And also deliberately. My husband and children are so SO loud and tell me that they can never hear me. I on the other hand have created a hand single of taking my open hand and slowly closing my fingers to my thumb (like a shadow puppet of a bird) to use so that I don’t feel like they are screaming at me.
My dysfunctional and chaotic house always had people screaming at each other.
I do better one on one than in group therapy. My 1st stay was 35 years ago when my parents placed me in an adult psych unit over an hour from home.
I was 16 and there were some legit scary people there but I tried to avoid them. I had limited group time though and it allowed me to complete my homework in my room.
My first stay as an adult, participation in group was required.
I love coloring, using pens are my favorite. It totally helps to ground me.
Colouring is great for grounding.
I’m glad group participation isn’t required here. None of the groups sound interesting even if I was more of a group participation kind of gal.
My grandma is mostly deaf, and for years I’ve had to bellow for her to hear me. But living by myself with just the guinea pigs, home is a delightfully quiet place for me.
I ❤️ the quiet.
I think it is why I write so much during the night while everyone is sleeping. Though it sucks for sleeping
I like waking up early when it’s quiet and peaceful and the rest of the world is still asleep.
I’m so glad your getting to go on leave, so you can see the guinea pigs, pet therapy is wonderful!
I’m sorry the psychiatrist you normally see is away this week!
I am not a fan of seeing alternative doctors. I much prefer to see dr. Barry when I am on the ward.
Sending love and hugs! Xoxo
Thanks, lovely! 💕
Wishing you more strength and luck 🍀 hope the therapy will help you! And that the coloring books will provide some peace of mind. 🤗 Thank you for the update!
Thanks! 💚
You’re very welcome 🤗 have a lovely weekend ♥
Thanks! Same to you! 🤗
Thank you 🌸
Appreciate the update. That’s good that you have family support and that you were able to see the guinea pigs! Wishing you continued recovery.
Thank you 💕
glad to hear you’re doing okayish. I’m so happy to hear you got to see the piggies! take good care of yourself…xx
Thanks, lovely lady 💕
My goodness, I am thinking of you Ashley. It can be so frustrating not feeling heard, especially when you are naturally more soft spoken. Sending you love, and thinking of you each day. I am glad you were able to get out to see your guinea pigs, and that your brother will be bringing your Niece by too. Happy Belated birthday for her! I hope you are finding some restful moments with colouring in between appointments. I am hoping for you they will be able to set up more frequent ECT next week. I am rooting for you, you have so much strength in you <3
Thanks, lovely 💕
I’m so glad you can update us and connect whilst you endure this to get your treatment. I hope you get it bumped up so can get home to your fur babies soon – love and hugs 💞💞💞
Thanks. Love you 💕
You are like me in that I have a soft voice too…and often people don’t hear me.
Yay for colouring books… 💞
Glad guineas are getting looked after…
I’m very glad my brother is able to look after the piglets.
Been thinking of you! I hope the print of your blog won’t be harmful.
💕💕💕
I am so glad for you that you are getting family support and a pass to see your pets. I am also sorry the ECT schedule bump has not yet occurred. Maybe next week? And sorry also that you are seeing a new doctor while your doctor is out. I find the whole trust thing with the medical establishment is very important especially when hospitalized. At least for me, it is hard to get to know another doctor in that environment and build that needed trust in a one or two day window. Yeah for coloring books and being on the mend…. !:)
The doctor filling in was okay, but I found it annoying that he wanted to dig into stuff from years ago when it didn’t seem to accomplish anything useful. It was quite draining meeting with him. There’s a different doctor filling in this coming week before my regular doctor is back, so I’ll have someone new to get used to.
That is tough to reinvent the wheel every few days with a new doctor. Hoping it will go well with the new guy/gal next week.
Thank you!
So happy you got to see the fur babies! I bet they can’t wait to have you home, but it’s good that your mom is going to keep them company 🙂 Is there anything else you would like from Amazon? Do you have a wish list that we could buy stuff that gets sent to you? Xx
That’s lovely of you to mention it, but I’ve now got enough colouring stuff to keep me occupied for months!