They do this while you are trying to sleep too, which usually wakes you since you are too scared to get any decent sleep the first night. As long as you remain on SPs, you cannot check out your sharps alone. One of the staff must be with you while you are brushing your teeth, taking your shower and doing your hair. Facilities that have a separate cafeteria area will keep you confined to the unit for meals as well. The psychiatrist takes you off SPs as soon as they are sure you won t be stealing anyone s shoelaces to inflict bodily harm on yourself.
Smoking is a considerable issue for some patients.
Some facilities so not allow smoking and some have a designated enclosed area. I ve been in two hospitals and had one of each type. Even though I m not a smoker, I enjoyed being able to go outside into the little enclosed courtyard and see the sunshine or the stars and hear the birds chirping. Plus, the smokers always had all the scuttlebutt from the unit. It was also interesting to hear the ravings of the patients who were experiencing psychosis and they always seemed to come outside and share their latest vision or message from God.