Maniccarousel, a member of our bipolar forums, shared her experience with her first inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. One frustrating issue she shared was that of packing and the search of her personal belongings during admission.
“It was upsetting when they went through my luggage and took so much away from me. And, I was patted down for anything I might have had hidden. I even had to take my shoes off. By then, I told them I felt like I was being arrested. They explained to me that every patient goes through this and it's for everyone’s protection. I over packed. I'll know next time to pack light.”
Maniccarousel’s experience highlights a few key points to keep in mind when you or a loved-one are going to be admitted to the hospital. First, you do want to take some personal items, but pack light. Take along only what is absolutely necessary. The list of items that are not permitted on a psychiatric ward is quite long due to privacy and safety issues. Also, it is best to leave your valuables at home. There is no need for jewelry, and you likely only need a small amount of cash for cafeteria purchases or use of the payphone. Following is a list of helpful items you may want to pack and a list of items that are not generally permitted.
Helpful Items to Pack
- Identification
- Insurance information
- List of all your medications – Don’t actually bring your meds; they will not be permitted. Your prescriptions will be dispensed by the hospital staff.
- Comfortable clothes – Enough for five to seven days is usually sufficient.
- Slippers or comfy slip-on shoes – Shoestrings are sometimes not permitted.
- Personal grooming items – Shampoo, brush, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.
- Reading material
- Stationery
- Ipods, Walkmans and CDs – You will only be allowed to use these in a supervised area. They will be locked-up for you when not in use.
- Cigarettes – If you smoke, you may pack your cigarettes. Smoking is sometimes allowed in designated, supervised areas. But keep in mind that more and more units are becoming non-smoking.
Item Generally Not Permitted
- Medications – prescription and over-the-counter
- Mirrors
- Belts
- Ties
- Drawstrings
- Shoestrings (though sometimes permitted)
- Spiral notebooks
- Razors
- Scissors
- Knives
- Keys
- Pins
- Plastic bags
- Tape recorders
- Computers
- Cameras
- Anything with a cord
- Anything glass
