Five things that surprised me about being in inpatient care

Topics mentioned: inpatient care, self-esteem

About: What’s it like to go to hospital for your mental health? Tom shares his experience of being in inpatient care, and some of the positive experiences he had during a daunting and scary time.

Going into inpatient care can be a daunting experience for anybody. It is totally normal to feel confused, scared and worried.

You might feel as though there is nothing positive about being away from home, but I can assure you there will be lots of things you will learn on your journey to recovery. Try and just go with the flow and before you know it, you will be back in your own bed.

Here are five things that surprised me about being in inpatient care:

Leaving home when you're struggling with your mental health, even just for a few hours, can feel terrifying. So the thought of being away for a few weeks might seem impossible -  especially if it’s your first time away from home.

When I went into hospital, it was my first time being away from home. I like my own routine, and my own way of doing things and did not want anybody to change it. But I was wrong.

The more I realised that there were other ways of doing things, the more I started to see new possibilities for freedom and creativity. It was an opportunity to learn from different people.

You can gain a lot of self-confidence being away from home, and it may help you realise that sometimes the best “toolkit” you have is yourself.

Although staying at home might feel like the better option, not having your family around as much can give you a chance to learn about yourself.

Meeting new people can be the worst thing in the world, as well as feeling trapped in an unknown place. I never thought I would gain friends from being in a hospital - but I did.

I still talk to them a few years on, and because we lived with each other at our worst, it’s become a very strong relationship of sharing problems and understanding each other.

The ward will have different things you can do throughout the day. Some things you might think are not for you, but give them a go. I had the same feelings, I thought I didn’t need to learn how to be “mindful” and it would be boring! But actually, once I had a go it was great.

You might not admit to it straight away (I definitely didn’t) but you soon notice that there is nothing wrong with liking something that might sound boring or stupid, just as long as you enjoy it. Give it a go!

Just because you’re away from home, it doesn’t mean you’re never going to see your family again. Your team want you to be back home as soon as possible. Being with family through a hard time can help you recover, but families don’t always know the right answers and that’s why sometimes it’s best to get professional help.

You’ll be able to go on home leave as soon as possible, and your family will be able to visit you on a regular basis. So you’re never that far from home – it’s just a bit of time for you and your family to get back on track.