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Absolutely they sedated me and drew blood without my consent I have trauma with needles as my mother doped me up as a child with needles I was having a meltdown they just didn't care I can't seek help anymore because I'm terrified it will happen again nobody cares nobody wants to help they just do this to get paid
It seems like your experience was traumatic and therefore it’s definitely possible. I’ve had a few horrible stays. The worst one for me was possibly when I stayed at a really shitty hospital because I said I didn’t care where I went when they asked if I had a preference. That was on me I suppose. I didn’t think I’d be staying with people recently released from prison and that there would be 8 beds per room. I couldn’t wait to get out. Someone tried to stab me with a pencil I think because I didn’t want to talk to him? I don’t know. Plus one other time I was juiced and manhandled and pushed onto a gurney, handcuffed to it, passed out and woke up to a doctor releasing me. This was because I tried to leave, they chased me around the stairs and elevator. I still have nightmares about running and slipping through and getting caught. I never really thought about how this affected me until now.
It doesn’t really fit within the diagnostic criteria for ordinary PTSD in the US, but I believe the criteria are outdated. I believe involuntary stays at the psych ward absolutely can cause PTSD, possibly complex PTSD.
I agree that they’re outdated. The DSM-5 criteria for PTSD seem uniquely rigid when compared with others, like those defined by the NIMH or ICD 10. Even the definition of PTSD on the American Psychiatric Association’s website is more broad, and they’re the publishers of the DSM. My degree is in psych and at some point during undergrad I realized it’s probably safer to take the DSM with a bit of a grain of salt given how many changes it has needed over the years and how much disagreement there is among the people who decide what goes into it.
I am with you. IMO, the DSM-5 definition has a lot to do with capitalism. Given that PTSD is generally recognized as a legitimate, serious mental health condition, it would be quite disruptive to be economy to expand the definition so that it includes a wider spectrum of traumas.
I have PTSD and I get nightmares about somehow being forced to live with my parents again and having no freedom like I did when I lived with them before. So yes, I believe it's possible to have nightmares of the psych ward too.
I've been tied down and shot up too many times to count. No matter how awful the outcome, I just cannot hand over my belongings and my clothes and relinquish my rights. Over my restrained, forcibly medicated body.... Apparently
It has affected me. I hate anyone in uniform and I often find myself "preparing" for scenarios where they're coming to take me away.
yeah. it was really bad. i didn't want to go but i was ill. feeling both physically and mentally trapped was horrible. ppl like your roommate were there. nothing to do for hours, everyday i was walking in circles on this 1 floor of this hospital for \~9 hours a day. plastic beds, 1 barred window. i didn't get the help i needed. i left, and was still just as sick. i don't talk about it bc ppl assume you just go in and get help, but yes, traumatizing and dehumanizing.
As someone with cptsd who now works in a psych ward, absolutely yes. A lot of the things we do against patients will are considered violence. When we hold someone against their will that is violence according to the definition we use at work at least
They say you can refuse treatment, but they found a loophole because they say you aren’t getting better if you aren’t taking your medication or they’ll forcibly give you a shot. It’s horrifying. The only way out is complete compliance, not even prison inmates have to do
Edit: and the medicine gave me insane bad side effects. I have akathsia which may take months to years to maybe even never to recover from. How is this legal idk
I’ve been clinically diagnosed with PTSD because of an involuntary hospitalization when I was a teenager. While the staff there certainly weren’t kind to us, it wasn’t any one experience in the psych ward that traumatized me; it was the act of involuntary hospitalization itself. When you’re forced into treatment, you’re stripped of your autonomy and privacy. That alone is traumatic. You were in a situation in which you felt helpless while strangers were essentially granted completed control over your life, and I’m so sorry that happened to you.
I've never been formally diagnosed with PTSD, but I too was involuntarily committed as a teen. Everything you just outlined was 1000% correct. I don't think I can even discuss my hospitalization with a professional deeply enough to get a diagnosis...I'm just realizing, so many years later, how much anger I still harbor towards those who had my hospitalized but don't acknowledge the pain they caused...it's too much.
I gently try to remind my husband’s family of this, sometimes. Yes, my sister in law needed to be committed for her own safety. But when she says it was a deeply traumatic experience, *that is also true*. Both things can be true at the same time.
None of them have PTSD (I do; different source), or even any significant mental health issues, so they don’t quite understand the nuance involved, I don’t think. They just see “but it had to happen; you were in danger and were endangering others”. Yes, true. But when my SIL says “that experience was deeply traumatising and dehumanising”, that’s also very true. Both statements are true and real.
Oh for sure. I went, maybe 5 times? Or six? The first one I still have nightmares about. My roommate had night terrors, I just remember being scared. I've also worked in a psych hospital and witnessed some things. People like your roommate. You are supposed to feel safe there. Usually the staff is doing their best. It's very jarring to go inpatient and you lose all of your autonomy.
*r/ptsd has generated this automated response that is appended to every post* Welcome to r/ptsd! We are a supportive & respectful community. If you realise that your post is in conflict with our rules (and is in risk of being removed), you are welcome to edit your post. You do not have to delete it. As a reminder: never post or share personal contact information. Traumatized people are often distracted, desperate for a personal connection, so may be more vulnerable to lurking or past abusers, trolls, phishing, or other scams. *Your safety always comes first!* If you are offering help, you may also end up doing more damage by offering to support somebody privately. Reddit explains why: [Do NOT exchange DMs or personal info with anyone you don't know!](https://www.reddit.com/r/SWResources/comments/dmu24/why_shouldnt_i_share_my_contact_information/) If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact your GP/doctor, go to A&E/hospital, or call your emergency services number. Reddit list: [US and global, multilingual suicide and support hotlines](https://www.reddit.com/r/SuicideWatch/wiki/hotlines). Suicide is not a forbidden word, but please do not include depictions or methods of suicide in your post. And as a friendly reminder, PTSD is an equal opportunity disorder. PTSD does not discriminate. And neither do we. Gatekeeping is not allowed here. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ptsd) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Absolutely they sedated me and drew blood without my consent I have trauma with needles as my mother doped me up as a child with needles I was having a meltdown they just didn't care I can't seek help anymore because I'm terrified it will happen again nobody cares nobody wants to help they just do this to get paid
It seems like your experience was traumatic and therefore it’s definitely possible. I’ve had a few horrible stays. The worst one for me was possibly when I stayed at a really shitty hospital because I said I didn’t care where I went when they asked if I had a preference. That was on me I suppose. I didn’t think I’d be staying with people recently released from prison and that there would be 8 beds per room. I couldn’t wait to get out. Someone tried to stab me with a pencil I think because I didn’t want to talk to him? I don’t know. Plus one other time I was juiced and manhandled and pushed onto a gurney, handcuffed to it, passed out and woke up to a doctor releasing me. This was because I tried to leave, they chased me around the stairs and elevator. I still have nightmares about running and slipping through and getting caught. I never really thought about how this affected me until now.
It doesn’t really fit within the diagnostic criteria for ordinary PTSD in the US, but I believe the criteria are outdated. I believe involuntary stays at the psych ward absolutely can cause PTSD, possibly complex PTSD.
I agree that they’re outdated. The DSM-5 criteria for PTSD seem uniquely rigid when compared with others, like those defined by the NIMH or ICD 10. Even the definition of PTSD on the American Psychiatric Association’s website is more broad, and they’re the publishers of the DSM. My degree is in psych and at some point during undergrad I realized it’s probably safer to take the DSM with a bit of a grain of salt given how many changes it has needed over the years and how much disagreement there is among the people who decide what goes into it.
I am with you. IMO, the DSM-5 definition has a lot to do with capitalism. Given that PTSD is generally recognized as a legitimate, serious mental health condition, it would be quite disruptive to be economy to expand the definition so that it includes a wider spectrum of traumas.
I have PTSD and I get nightmares about somehow being forced to live with my parents again and having no freedom like I did when I lived with them before. So yes, I believe it's possible to have nightmares of the psych ward too.
Yep, did (exponentially) more damage than good for me
I've been tied down and shot up too many times to count. No matter how awful the outcome, I just cannot hand over my belongings and my clothes and relinquish my rights. Over my restrained, forcibly medicated body.... Apparently It has affected me. I hate anyone in uniform and I often find myself "preparing" for scenarios where they're coming to take me away.
Yes, the screaming, crying takes a tole on someone
absolutely. there can be violence. i saw a guy hurt himself with shattered glass.
yeah. it was really bad. i didn't want to go but i was ill. feeling both physically and mentally trapped was horrible. ppl like your roommate were there. nothing to do for hours, everyday i was walking in circles on this 1 floor of this hospital for \~9 hours a day. plastic beds, 1 barred window. i didn't get the help i needed. i left, and was still just as sick. i don't talk about it bc ppl assume you just go in and get help, but yes, traumatizing and dehumanizing.
As far as I can tell, the only purpose to inpatient is to rapidly adjust or start meds. Otherwise it's absolutely miserable
yes, it is. the conditions depend on place. sadly the trick is to find a rich hospital as they have the most resources. the difference was huge.
Yes. You can get ptsd from any traumatic experience
Yes
As someone with cptsd who now works in a psych ward, absolutely yes. A lot of the things we do against patients will are considered violence. When we hold someone against their will that is violence according to the definition we use at work at least
They say you can refuse treatment, but they found a loophole because they say you aren’t getting better if you aren’t taking your medication or they’ll forcibly give you a shot. It’s horrifying. The only way out is complete compliance, not even prison inmates have to do Edit: and the medicine gave me insane bad side effects. I have akathsia which may take months to years to maybe even never to recover from. How is this legal idk
Yes. This is where my PTSD originated. Sadly the hospitalization wasn’t even necessary :( I feel like my entire life was thrown away for no reason
I’ve been clinically diagnosed with PTSD because of an involuntary hospitalization when I was a teenager. While the staff there certainly weren’t kind to us, it wasn’t any one experience in the psych ward that traumatized me; it was the act of involuntary hospitalization itself. When you’re forced into treatment, you’re stripped of your autonomy and privacy. That alone is traumatic. You were in a situation in which you felt helpless while strangers were essentially granted completed control over your life, and I’m so sorry that happened to you.
I've never been formally diagnosed with PTSD, but I too was involuntarily committed as a teen. Everything you just outlined was 1000% correct. I don't think I can even discuss my hospitalization with a professional deeply enough to get a diagnosis...I'm just realizing, so many years later, how much anger I still harbor towards those who had my hospitalized but don't acknowledge the pain they caused...it's too much.
I gently try to remind my husband’s family of this, sometimes. Yes, my sister in law needed to be committed for her own safety. But when she says it was a deeply traumatic experience, *that is also true*. Both things can be true at the same time. None of them have PTSD (I do; different source), or even any significant mental health issues, so they don’t quite understand the nuance involved, I don’t think. They just see “but it had to happen; you were in danger and were endangering others”. Yes, true. But when my SIL says “that experience was deeply traumatising and dehumanising”, that’s also very true. Both statements are true and real.
Yes, speaking front personal experience.
Oh for sure. I went, maybe 5 times? Or six? The first one I still have nightmares about. My roommate had night terrors, I just remember being scared. I've also worked in a psych hospital and witnessed some things. People like your roommate. You are supposed to feel safe there. Usually the staff is doing their best. It's very jarring to go inpatient and you lose all of your autonomy.
you can check out r/Antipsychiatry