MovieChat Forums > The Snake Pit (1948) Discussion > Experiences with Mental Health Hospitals...

Experiences with Mental Health Hospitals?

posted 11 years ago by Forlorn_Rage
2 replies | jump to latest

I just recently completed the movie "Manic," starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, which also has to do with mental health care, just like this movie. It makes me curious about modern mental hospitals- particularly how they are conducted today and how accurately movies portray them.

Anyone here care to share their experiences in a mental health hospital? I don't want to ask anything too personal like what you were in for- unless you're completely comfortable with talking about it.

Here is info I am most interested in learning:

-Time period of admittance- it's good for time comparison since treatment/hospitals are constantly evolving. (doesn't have to be too specific, maybe by decade, ex: 90's, 00's, etc)

-What were they other people like?

-What was it like meeting other patients? Did you feel any kind of kinship or relatability?

-What was your counselour like? Was he/she helpful?

-How closely do your experiences relate to this film or any other film you have seen regarding mental illness?

Any info is greatly appreciated and if you want to volunteer any other interesting facts or details, feel free!

PS:
If you want to share info, but want to do so privately, PM's are welcome as well.

[–] onleft23 11 years ago

Answered in order ...

-Time period of admittance- it's good for time comparison since treatment/hospitals are constantly evolving. (doesn't have to be too specific, maybe by decade, ex: 90's, 00's, etc)

Approximately 9 weeks during Fall 2006.

-What were they other people like?

Psychically wounded souls, I could relate.

-What was it like meeting other patients? Did you feel any kind of kinship or relatability?

You're not really trying to meet anyone but of course being cooped up in a group
setting you do naturally sort of. Generally speaking tho, every person is just trying to regain his/her bearings, not trying to meet anyone new.

Re kinship. Sure. I flatter myself I was more of a Michael Keaton in Clean & Sober - tho certainly not
RP McMurphy in Cuckoo's Nest - than a totally zoned-out basket case; but sitting in group therapy sessions and listening to others' stories, yes I definitely could relate.

-What was your counselour like? Was he/she helpful?

Actually I think at least a couple of the 10-12 people on the staff were more
screwed up mentally than most of us patients. Blind leading the blind kinda thing, but
their hearts were in the right place.

Helpful? Meh. The psych ward I was in wasn't Nutcase Central just people whose
life circumstances had overwhelmed their ability to cope with their situation.
Kinda like "Lemme offa this merry-go-round for a while til I can get my xxxx back together." The counselors there just kinda to handhold & walk the "dizzy" to a nearby bench to sit a bit. My take anyways.

There was a manual a sort of "How to Get Sane Again for Dummies" the counselors used. We followed along. Half-heartedly at best, tho. Time fill get thru the day stuff. Mostly tho it came down to "Hey, life's tough and it's gonna kick your ass every once in a while. If/When it does, hang in there, baby steps til you can walk upright again."

Bad joke but honestly bartenders & barbers/hair stylists are every bit as "mental health experts" as any of the counselors were. The "medicine" is just to have someone you're comfortable with to talk with. MHOA.

-How closely do your experiences relate to this film or any other film you have seen regarding mental illness?

I was in a hospital psych ward, not an asylum. My experience was very much like
the film Clean & Sober (a powerful film imho btw.)

I'm actually kinda thankful for the experience. I did learn about life. About bruised minds. And learning how to try to heal them up.

Well doubt my quiz answers help much but just one guy's remembrances ...
Peace.

[–] Forlorn_Rage 11 years ago

Thank you so much for opening up about your personal experiences! It was a very interesting read. It was very interesting read.

Perhaps, the films are doing something right if you can actually relate to the characters. I'm always happy whenever I actually find myself relating to a fictional character b/c it is very rare that the character's circumstances or feelings will come anywhere close to matching mine. I felt this way about "Manic." It made me feel so excited see a bunch of teens (though sadly I am no longer a teen myself), I could genuinely relate to, come alive onscreen that I had to start some threads to see if anyone else felt the same way. Perhaps, I will start another thread on "Manic" and reword it differently.

I definitely agree with you that some, otherwise, healthy people without innate illnesses need treatment b/c of overwhelming circumstances. I think people often unfairly jump to conclusions and forget that social programs are often for teaching people how to cope and keep up with the world rather than to isolate or lock up "loonies" from the rest of so-called "civilization." I don't even tell people I am on medication for ADHD b/c who knows what conclusions people will jump to.

As for the "blind leading the blind," I'm not really surprised to hear that. Knowledge or funding on mental illness or treatment is shockingly limited even today. I've even read an article online about a woman whose son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was given only the choices to either have him put away in an asylum or have him imprisoned(!)- a little kid who hadn't even committed a crime, but people are so afraid you *may* go crazy, they'll gladly take you in.

I'm happy that the experience worked out for you. Another reason, I started this thread is because the reviews I read on some of the psych wards in my local area are just terrible (ex: excrement underneath the bed, keep patients against their will even if they volunteered themselves, no patient care, etc.)

Sorry about the long post, I felt obligated to say something other than "Thanks for the info! Have a nice day!" Again, thank you so much. I really appreciate your time!