Hospitalisation

Sometimes a mental health diagnosis results in a hospitalisation. This can be fore a short or a long time and has a veriety of effects on an individual. Some peoples self esteem is effected drastically by this experience, some people are indifferent to the experience and others become rightously indignant about the whole process. Most people will experience a selection of these different ways of coping at different stages through their hospitalisation and recovery. All of these coping stratagies are valid and should be treated with dignity and respect. Im my own experience the first time I was hospitalised it was an excersise in survival, the initial hospitalisation was terrifying as I was taken from my home in an unmarked vehicle with three security guards. I was not allowed to gather any belongings no even my clothing before leaving and when I arrived at the hospital I was in a room which appeared dirty and I didnt even feel I could put my bare feet on the floor in the shower. My second hosptalisation was completely different. I treated it as a Spiritual retreat. I focused completely on my meditation and yoga and made sure that this was respected by staff through self advocacy. I suppose what Im saying is that what ever you feel because of your hospitalisation and recovery is ok and that ultimately there is no shame in being hospitalised because of your mental health just as there is no shame in being hospitalised because of a heart condition or a major road traffic accident.