I'm about to be sent to an adolescent psych ward as soon as a bed is available. What can I expect?

You live in aus, I have no idea.

EDIT: also, it might be a good idea to inform us why you're going there. it is an entirely different experience depending on your diagnosis.

do you see spiders under your skin? are you emo? do you set houses on fire and get off to it? do you hurt people?

Set hours. It's going to be like living at school, minus the learning with psychiatrists and nurses all over the place. If you don't behave they'll probably put you on drugs.

Be nice, don't bother the insane folks, and don't show yourself to be insane.

What did you do to get yourself landed there?

Not to scare you, but check out the movie "Manic."

Couple of breakdowns resulting in a diazapam OD and paracetamol abuse combined with eating disorder and cutting.

I went in for eating disorders/cutting for a week. I don't know how bad you are, but if you are like, bones, they will be setting you up to the feeding tube. Yum/fun. They will strip everything from you, give you a room, and tell you the schedule and stuff. Then, they'll take your weight/height/measurements, etc. Then, they'll harass you for pills, diuretics, stuff hidden within crevices, etc. I don't really remember all the details, it was a long time ago, but I remember feeling like shit and wanting to kill the doctors. But that's because I went in unwillingly. Then, I went to a group meeting and watched stupid anorexic sluts talk for like an hour about things I already knew. If you are going in for cutting, as in you have fresh cuts, they'll probably put you under suicide watch cause they get antsy like that.

But I think you are going more for the breakdowns? And I can't help you there. Good luck.

So my curiosity into how many razor packets I can fit in my vagina is pointless as I will be searched? No joke. Can get 50 blades.

They probably won't search you that thoroughly until they find new cuts on you. I've been to 2 different places, and the rules were very different. Don't try to not take your pills or be overly defiant. You'll be stripped of all your belongings, given scrubs, socks, shitty deodorant, a toothbrush, tube of toothpaste and baby wash/shampoo (same bottle). One of the places I went to let you wear you "street clothes" after you'd been there for a couple days, and even bring in your own toothbrush/shower stuff. The other place wouldn't let you have anything.

There was a shower in each 2-person room in one of the places, and the other only had ONE shower that everyone had to share, which sucked.

There are visiting hours, if you care to tell any of your friends where you are.. security can be a bitch for them to get through though.

The stricter place had a VERY strange way of handling phone calls. There was a phone out in the main area for patients to congregate, that the staff would not touch. You could use it whenever you wanted, give the number out to anyone you wanted but you had to be considerate of the other patients. People could only reach you with the phone at the nurse's station if it was an emergency, all other calls are told to call the one patient phone (only if you put the person's name on the list of people you wanted to contact you).

You'll probably be sharing your room with another girl unless there aren't many patients. The beds are cots, the blankets/pillows are thin and stiff and the room is cold.

The food reminds me of the lunch in gradeschool.

There's a bookshelf or 6 with boring self-help books to read, and a single TV for the patients to fight over. You'll be frustrated, because it will seem as though nothing is happening. 90% of the time you're just waiting around for someone in the staff to tell you to do something.

When I went at 17, I already had my first kid and was dealing with supporting her and maintaining a relationship with her mother, which made the group therapy largely something I couldn't relate to. The other kids were around 12-15 and most were there because their parents saw a cut or two and freaked out.

They may make you take a LONG personality test or 3, each with 700+ multiple choice questions. You'll fill out daily "Goal Sheets", then try not to die of boredom until it's time to see the psychiatrist (for 10 minutes). You won't be working with a psychologist for most of it, instead you'll have "Psych Techs" and nurses who are generally easier to be around anyway. They will try to get you involved in group activities, watch documentaries and informational videos on whatever your issues are. Everything will be simplified to the point where you're certain that they're mocking your intelligence.

Keep in mind that I live in the US. I truly hope this experience helps you, but.. I don't have a high opinion of these programs that cost you thousands of monies.

<3, stay strong yo.

Atleast the one I'm going to is free. I'm now sorta talking to a guy who spent some time in the same ward I am last year. From the sounds of it it's just protecting people from themself and school with occasional sessions.

jesus christ, bitch