Private Psychiatric Hospital
By Tom Brown
- 1040 reads
At last 100% the right medicines after more than 20 years state care, the food is good too but they are very strict on hospital rules, and specifically for aggression. For any aggression they send you packing right away. I saw a youngster like that get kicked out and without ceremony.
According to myself my chronic problem was sleep disturbance, I couldn't sleep till very late at night then couldn't get up in the morning. It was very serious I suffered from it for more than 20 years and paid the price, with studies and work and life in general. That all is over now although it took some time getting used to the new medicine and had to learn some coping skills. I don't have the problem anymore believe it or not. Dr Stonecamps is pleasant and friendly, a family man and a brilliant psychiatrist.
I think it was a result of teenage trauma, at school still I often couldn't sleep at night because I was in fear I was scared my dad would commit a family murder. Then getting up in the morning again for school.
That was heavy hey and just a child really. My father was an alcoholic it was hard then and this kept on for long amongst related difficulties. Also I was regularly violently disciplined even as a little kid already. No wonder they think I've got brain damage. Myself I'm very gentle. Medical doctors don't usually ask you about things like this they treat your illness with medicine.
Sometimes when you are very sick you might need longer term hospitalisation you have to go to a state hospital and especially the first time. Sometimes it takes a while but most people recover and private would cost a lot mostly people go on medical aid for two or three weeks. Private can work out very expensive especially if you go for a long time for treatment.
We're lucky here we have probably one of the best state hospitals in the world here in Pretoria. It is an academic hospital, the grounds are very large that helps a lot. There are ways to compare different universities internationally. All the psychiatrists have to work as interns at a state hospital some years before they qualify and usually then into private practice. For psychologists especially our selection is extremely strict but you still get the odd monkey.
My brother has now also given up drinking and smoking as well, and a good few months now. You save a lot of money and you don't burn holes in your bed sheets and clothes and your best friend's wife's new furniture. Crash or throw up on your buddy's Mercedes bonnet from the second floor. Serves him right. Sorry. And you have to stand outside all the time.
It is amazing what a person can actually achieve. When one ability is lost often one discovers another talent in it's place, or even a very special gift and there could be even more. And this often helps you get better as well, often in spite of preconceived limitations by doctors and family on the patient's behalf.
Psychiatry has advanced tremendously in the last 50 years. Of course if you want to get better you have to cooperate and comply otherwise you're just wasting time and money.
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Comments
I'm sorry for your hard
I'm sorry for your hard childhood. And hope you continue to feel steadier. Rhiannon
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Credit to you Tom, it sounds
Credit to you Tom, it sounds like you've been through such a lot, but you've managed to keep searching for light at the end of the tunnel. I do hope the future is bright and you stay strong.
Stay positive Tom and take care.
Jenny.
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it's very heartening to read
it's very heartening to read that the right meds have finally been found and are working for you Tom, I hope it continues that way.
I'm hopeful that corporal punishment will eventually be made illegal in every country as it is in many today- there is always a better way and I'm sorry that you had to experience it as a child.
Thank you for sharing this - we have quite a few members with poor mental health and it's encouraging for others to read that things can get better
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I'm glad you've shared this
I'm glad you've shared this with us Tom. It can't be easy relating your mental health and family problems and what you have been through in terms of treatment. I always find these things interesting and I hope that writing it all down and sharing it has been of some help to you. And I hope that things continue to improve in your life.
Good on you.
Turlough
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That's a brave, revealing
That's a brave, revealing piece. You have dealt with much and sound like you are coming through it all. A very helpful account for anyone reading in a similar situation. Nicely done, Tom. And take care of yourself. Paul
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Thanks for posting, Tom. Take
Thanks for posting, Tom. Take care, mate.
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you and your brother had done
you and your brother had done what your dad could not. survived.
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