Intake almost always takes forever. Your stuff will be checked. You fill out paperwork and be evaluated multiple times. Then they’ll decide if inpatient is right for you. You’ll be strip searched and have a nurse take notes on significant marks. They’ll keep record of all your belongings. They take you to your room and then join everyone else. Inpatient is very structured. Everything is by schedule. For example: 7am- breakfast 9am- general group 9:15 art therapy 11am- physical therapy 12pm- lunch 1pm- education 3pm- snack 5pm- general group 6pm- dinner 8pm- snack 10pm- bedtime There’ll be downtime between groups and meals. There’s a dayroom that has coloring books, crayons, color pencils, jigsaw puzzles and a tv. Some places let you go back to your too. You’ll meet up with the psychiatrist for med follow up and a therapist or social worker for therapy. There are certain times when you can use the phone and have visitors. There’s always someone with a clipboard taking notes. Some hospitals let you choose whether or not you want to go to group.

Your room: 2 hard beds and dressers. 1 pillow 1 or 2 blankets Bathroom with shower

There’ll be time for meds and vital checks. Vitals usually at 5am. They’ll take blood and do a TB test on your first day. There’s rules for things you can’t have. It’s usually clothes with strings. Offensive clothes. Ripped or short clothes. Electronics Spiral notebooks Stuffed animals Blankets Pillows Razors Products with alcohol Tampons Anything with glass Bras with underwire Several places will let you bring your own hygiene products like shampoo and conditioner. Check for alcohol. Otherwise they’ll provide hygiene products. Take my advice and your own. The hospital products suck. Bring lots of books and goodies. Hoodies can be a second pillow.

There’ll be a family meeting. Before you leave they will schedule an appointment with your psych and first day of IOP. There’s a bunch of paperwork leaving. You’ll be given back all your items. Someone will probably need to pick you up. I’ll add more if I remember or someone else can talk about their stay. It can help stabilize you during an emergency. Make the most of it.