Oh yeah, the reason that this is in discussion... Does anyone have resources for realtives of people who are hospitalized? Her facility has no support group or coping network. The only resource I have is her case worker, and I can never get a hold of her. Thanks.

i know what you are going through. this has happened many times to my sons gf. she would run our phone bill up a couple of hundred dollars more calling collect. always wanted something, more clother or cigarettes. finally i just watched my caller i.d. and i didnt answer. i got tired of running. the would be committed for bi-polar and alcoholic. when visitors come in they bring alcohol with them and give it to the residents there anyway!!! she would be in a co-ed floor and have sex in the bathrooms!!! i hate going there, when the doors lock behind me i panic!! no resources here either and when i tried to call the courthouse to talk to her social worker, they wont talk to you. they have that privacy act now and its hard to get info on anyone. hang in there, you are not alone.

My mum does this when in hospital, I remember visiting her once to see a woman wearing a dress that was hers. In hospital my mum would use clothes and cigarettes to get things she wanted.

Becoming aggressive when manic is normal behaviour for my mum if I don't meet her requests, I find it easier to nod and agree with her.
In the UK, depending on what section a person is put on depends on the care, it also depends on the hospital. The 1st 3 of my mum sections were section 2's (28 days) she was basically left to her own devices then kicked out without any support. The last 2 (and a different hospital) she has been on section 3 - max 6 months, and has had careworkers/social worker/advocacy visiting her and sorting things out for her resource wise.

Can you email her support worker?, and explain to her.
You could write to her p/doc, I've done this on occasion.

If it is too much, then don't visit. I once visited my mum on a locked ward (for serious cases) and it was a truly terrifying experience - on these wards they are 1 to 1 patient/nurse. I came out of there shaking, not only because of how the ward was, but how aggressive and psychotic my mum was.
Whenever I visited (on an open ward) a nurse would be requested to be with me and her because she was so aggressive. In the end I stopped putting myself through it, and the last 2 sections I have stayed away.
I know that sounds cruel, but it was the only option for me.
Psychiatric hospitals are a terrible place, both for the patient and the visitors.

When my son was in hospital I got lots of strange phone calls.Turns out most were paranoid or begging me to bring things.I reached a point where I didn't want to make hospital more comfortable because I didn't want him to like it.It is so hard to give tough love.Just assure your friend that you are always there to listenbut that you are uncomfortable in hospital.
Give it time as meds are ajusted things will improve

My X went into the hospital after he we spilt up. He was out of state working. I knew then was my chance to make a clear break from him.


He left on the 11th, called me on the 12th saying he was gonna do himself in if I didnt stay with him. I was sick of hearing his threats and told him to do me the favor and hung up on him. He flew back home the 13th to get checked in. He was livid cause I didnt go with our "friend" to pick him up, he didnt even want me to know when he was coming home. He wanted them to trick me into going to the airport. Ha I was a little wiser than the old owl.

I refused to vistit him! Because I knew if I did to go see him it would give him false hopes on us. I had to make my stand that there would never be anymore us.

While he was the ward, he'd call me on his cell phone. Wanting to fight and argue. I had enough.. While he was in that when he got DX as Bipolar, he wont tell me which level he is. As well as a bird told me he's boarder line Skitzo. I dont believe in boarder line mental illnesses either you are or your not!

Even after we found out what was wrong with him all those years. I stopped and asked myself. "Can I do 9 more years with him?" Clearly my answer was No.

I gave up my life, my freedom, my friends, a lot myself make him happy. I know I am harsh, but I just couldnt handle him and that type of life anymore.

I knew I had to leave to make me and childerns lives better!

Oh, Flailing, I am so sorry for your hurt! You are quite right to not respond, and certainly not to put in reports on her behalf. There are mechanisms there in the hospital for her to use for that. It is likely her delusions that are causing her to think that they are not paying attention to her, because i know they take all complaints seriously -- I used to be an investigator for them!!

The best place for family support is NAMI -- the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Check them out online -- you should be able to find a local chapter from there.

If you are in the states, google NAMI National. My mom is the VP of our local chapter, so i know what we have here, but most chapters have a support group and/or an educational class about the disorder and living with people with those disorders. The class you'll be looking for is Journey of Hope.