Abe's Rabbit - A Story about a Psychiatric Hospitalization
Benjamin Brashear shares his personal experiences during a psychiatric hospitalization. He writes, “Crushing depression had led me to a suicide attempt, and from that the next step was admission to a psychiatric ward of the local hospital. There, during check-in, I had my first look at Abe, who was to become my roommate.” Found here are the chapters of his story.
Chapter 1 - Checked Into the Psychiatric Ward
Crushing depression had led me to a suicide attempt, and from that the next step was admission to a psychiatric ward of the local hospital. There, during check-in, I had my first look at Abe, who was to become my roommate. He was screaming furiously into the telephone at the time ...
Crushing depression had led me to a suicide attempt, and from that the next step was admission to a psychiatric ward of the local hospital. There, during check-in, I had my first look at Abe, who was to become my roommate. He was screaming furiously into the telephone at the time ...
Chapter 2 - Rules of the Psychiatric Ward
I have not even seen my room yet, but I am learning the rules of psychiatric hospitalization. There are locks but no privacy. Certain TV programs are forbidden. You can't have your own lighter. And I've found out another reason to be nervous about Abe.
I have not even seen my room yet, but I am learning the rules of psychiatric hospitalization. There are locks but no privacy. Certain TV programs are forbidden. You can't have your own lighter. And I've found out another reason to be nervous about Abe.
Chapter 3 - Hypomania, Depression and Suicide
Left alone in my room in the psychiatric ward, I give way to depression. I remember hypomania and the darkness of suicidal thoughts. My unknown roommate's reading material is the only bright element.
Left alone in my room in the psychiatric ward, I give way to depression. I remember hypomania and the darkness of suicidal thoughts. My unknown roommate's reading material is the only bright element.
Chapter 4 - Getting to Know Abe
I walked back into my hospital room. Here sat the man that just moments ago was screaming uncontrollably into the phone and pacing like a rabid animal, up and down the hall. Now he seemed completely different, calm, collected, I would even go as far as to say normal.
I walked back into my hospital room. Here sat the man that just moments ago was screaming uncontrollably into the phone and pacing like a rabid animal, up and down the hall. Now he seemed completely different, calm, collected, I would even go as far as to say normal.
Chapter 5 - Group Therapy
Along with Abe, I went to my first session of group therapy during my psychiatric hospitalization. The patients' illnesses included schizophrenia, alcoholism, depression, borderline personality disorder, drug addiction, bipolar disorder and others. Here I heard for the first time about Abe's rabbit.
Along with Abe, I went to my first session of group therapy during my psychiatric hospitalization. The patients' illnesses included schizophrenia, alcoholism, depression, borderline personality disorder, drug addiction, bipolar disorder and others. Here I heard for the first time about Abe's rabbit.
Chapter 6 - Morning and Lunch on the Psych Ward
Abe and I stuck together during craft class, exercise period, a fresh-air break - which meant smoking! - and lunch. He told me more about his background - childhood on a farm and college, where he did well. I was also learning much more about life on the inside of a psychiatric ward.
Abe and I stuck together during craft class, exercise period, a fresh-air break - which meant smoking! - and lunch. He told me more about his background - childhood on a farm and college, where he did well. I was also learning much more about life on the inside of a psychiatric ward.
Chapter 7 - Caring for Each Other
I learned that Abe had taken care of Dorothy when she first came into the hospital, but who was taking care of Abe? More to the point, was anybody there to take care of Abe's rabbit?
I learned that Abe had taken care of Dorothy when she first came into the hospital, but who was taking care of Abe? More to the point, was anybody there to take care of Abe's rabbit?
Chapter 8 - Rabbits and Minds in Cages
Talking to Abe, I only got the feeling that he was hell-bent on suicide. The nurse on duty was not going to be any help, so I felt it was up to me to keep watch on Abe all night. Could I stay awake in spite of the medications I had taken?
Talking to Abe, I only got the feeling that he was hell-bent on suicide. The nurse on duty was not going to be any help, so I felt it was up to me to keep watch on Abe all night. Could I stay awake in spite of the medications I had taken?
Chapter 9 - Abe's Decision
The psychiatric ward's alarm went off, and my heart jumped into my throat. While I had been talking on the phone to my wife, Abe had made his move. What had he done? I had to know!
The psychiatric ward's alarm went off, and my heart jumped into my throat. While I had been talking on the phone to my wife, Abe had made his move. What had he done? I had to know!