What is it like being in a mental hospital? First, let me tell you how I got there. As I was nearing 20 years old, the extreme high and lows of bipolar disorder began to surface again, leading to a bipolar breakdown (    • A Bipolar Depression Story: My Bipola...   ) in my second semester of my sophomore year in college.

I was placed in a mental hospital days after the breakdown. Stripped of bra wires, cell phone, pant strings, hair bands and all belongings, I felt as though I was a criminal. My crime was having bipolar II disorder.

I was not allowed to have any contact with my family or friends for the first five days at the hospital. I felt like I was being punished for being sick. I was taken to group therapy sedated and scared. I was prepared to be greeted by monsters. To my surprise, I was greeted by angels. I immediately received a warm hug from a fellow patient, cradling me as I wept. I did not feel alone anymore.

From 7 am to 9 pm, my fellow comrades and I spent every minute together. We laughed, we cried and we shared stories of pain and hope. We ranged in age from 13 to 70 years old, from all different backgrounds. Some were rich. Some were poor. It did not matter, we were all equals the minute we stepped into that psychiatric hospital.

I was there for over two weeks before a team of medical professionals felt I could be released into the care of my mother and father. I left with a diagnosis of bipolar II and an unforgettable experience that changed my outlook on life.

Every person has a different experience in a mental hospital. My experience was good, based on the people I was surrounded by. However, this is not the situation for everyone.

Before my admission, the stigma of mental illness led me to believe that patients in mental hospitals were monsters. This is far from the truth. The monsters are the ones on the outside of the white walls who outcast those struggling with a mental health condition.

In the comments, I hope you'll share your thoughts and experiences about being in a mental hospital. They're valuable for everyone. And if you think this video is helpful, I hope you'll consider giving it a thumbs up. Thank you. Hannah
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Hannah posts every Monday morning on the HealthyPlace YouTube channel.

I'm Hannah. I Have Bipolar 2 Playlist: http://ow.ly/RR99305UIxg

What’s It Like Inside a Mental Hospital? http://ow.ly/WDe5305UL48

Bipolar Depression Treatment: http://ow.ly/Fnn9305UKY3