Any advice?

[Kaius]

So i recently posted a thread here about the probability of me being admitted back for psychiatric treatment. After speaking with my parents and girlfriend about it they showed me the leaflets and stuff my counselor gave them. Because I'd be admitted under the grounds of prevention I will be going to a place called Priory (http://www.priorygroup.com/Locations/South-East/The-Priory-Hospital-Brighton-and-Hove.aspx).

The last time I was forcibly admitted and was put on a secure ward in hospital for treatment, so this time its a completely different place. I've decided im going to go voluntarily this time after a bit of a breakdown, i think it would help me.

I was just wondering a few things. If i go voluntarily to priory, would i be able to discharge myself? Also how long do you think I'd be made to stay in there for and does it really give you as much freedom as they portray? I'd like to be able to keep contact with my girlfriend while I'm in there :/ Any general advice would be good, thanks.

[Zazu]

I was just wondering a few things. If i go voluntarily to priory, would i be able to discharge myself? Also how long do you think I'd be made to stay in there for and does it really give you as much freedom as they portray? I'd like to be able to keep contact with my girlfriend while I'm in there :/ Any general advice would be good, thanks.

If you go in voluntarily, and it stays that way, you will be able to discharge yourself whenever you want.

You shouldn't be made to 'stay' in there for any longer than you want. They will probably ask you to stay in there long enough to provide you with the best course of treatment they can and make sure some progress is made. If you do get fed up with it at any point, talk to them first but remember you can always just leave.

They should give you a fair level of freedom. Whilst they may not provide ALL of the home comforts you're used to, it should be decent enough. At the end of the day, if you can't get mobile signal / internet access, you should be able to just wonder outside / go to an internet café anyway :)

[drac]

Well my cousin went into psychiatric care on a voluntary basis, and he had the option of discharging himself, and keeping in contact with family, friends and was allowed to keep his phone e.c.t. So they do offer as much freedom as they portray. Hope that helps a little. :)

[anonymous53]

If you go in voluntary I believe you still have to wait 72 hours for them to allow you to discharge you. You can make them discharge you AMA before the 72 hours are up. Keeping contact with your girlfriend probably wouldn't happen besides visits. Freedom as they portray, they might. The only one I was in was a forced psychiatric ward, where our beds were nothing more than gym mats on wooden boxes.