How Not To Be Happy: 63 Things I Learned In A Psychiatric Hospital

By Lynn Duffy

Most of the patients I worked with in the psychiatric hospital had some sort of stressful event prior to their admission. This event made their mental illness symptoms worse. A handful woke up one morning and said, “I think I’ll kill myself today.” Some patients experienced a total disconnect with reality. This happened when someone was hearing voices or seeing things that were not there.
Suicide is an interesting phenomenon. I have met 85 year old men who had just lost their wives after 60 years of marriage. They would say they did not want to live anymore. I worked with a 30 year old, stay-at-home mom, who had three children and an abusive husband. She told me her plan was to wait until her husband went to work and the kids went off to school. She would then ingest a bottle of Tylenol, go to bed and never wake up.
There were only two patients I worked with in my eight years as a social worker on a psychiatric unit that truly attempted suicide. Ray was a middle aged, divorced man. In a group session, he told us his depression and sense of hopelessness and helplessness had become intolerable. One day he drove his car to a large piece of desolate acreage. He parked on an old dirt trail somewhere close to the middle of the property. He left no suicide note and did not tell anyone where he was going. He had planned this event to end his life several weeks in advance.
Ray rigged it so the carbon dioxide filtered right into his car. He recalled the motor humming, lulling him to sleep. Not long after he fell asleep from the fumes, two hunters came along, unexpectedly, and rescued him. Ray recalled this divine intervention, which was the reason for his admission into the psychiatric hospital.
The other person made a very serious suicide attempt. The unit staff was abuzz talking about this new patient. Very few staff members entered his room, which he always kept very dark. I knew I had to meet with him to talk about his discharge plan. I know that sounds odd, but hospitals start planning your discharge the minute you are admitted.
I was nervous. I knew I was nervous. During the staff report earlier in the morning, I heard about his mangled face and head from the gunshot wound. I entered his room very slowly. He had a “sitter” with him 24/7. A sitter is a hospital staff member who is no more than arm's length away from a person who is actively in danger to themselves. I had my standard speech about my role and what to expect while in the hospital. There was silence. He mumbled something about understanding what I said and wanted to be alone. His eyes were swollen shut and half of the hair on his head was missing from where he shot himself. I truly believe if a person wants to kill themselves, they will. All of the necessary precautions can be put into place. A person can be monitored twenty-four hours a day with cameras. All it takes is a split second for a person to choose to end their life.
The following is information and observations I have collected over the years. Please read it with an open mind and an open heart for the millions of people in this world with a mental illness or addiction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lynn Duffy
• Release date: May 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311066695

Lynn Duffy

Lynn Duffy graduated from Florida State University with a Master of Social Work degree. She has been a social worker for twenty years. She has worked with doctors and nurses for the majority of her career.Lynn currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and their two sons. She would love to hear from you.

Book preview

How Not To Be Happy:

63 Things I Learned In A Psychiatric Hospital

by Lynn Z. Duffy

Copyright 2015 Lynn Z. Duffy

Smashwords Edition

This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material herein is prohibited. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Author’s Note

The names and identifying details of the patients and friends discussed in this book have been changed to protect anonymity. This book is my perception of my experiences. If you have questions or concerns regarding any statements, please consult your physician.

To my husband, Jim. Thank you for choosing me. And to my children, who taught me unconditional love.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter One: Mental Illness

Chapter Two: Sexual Abuse

Chapter Three: Career

Chapter Four: Medications

Chapter Five: Addictions

Chapter Six: Relationships

Chapter Seven: The two most important ways to not be happy

About the Author

Connect with Lynn Duffy

Resources

Bibliography

How to Get to Heaven

A woman knocked at the heavenly gate,

Her face was scarred and old.

She stood before the Man of Fate

For admission to the fold.

What have you done, Saint Peter asked,

To gain admission here?

"I’ve been a social worker, sir,

For many and many a year."

The pearly gates swung open wide.

Saint Peter touched the bell.

Come in and choose your harp, he said.

You’ve had your share of hell.

Author unknown

Introduction

Most of the patients I worked with in the psychiatric hospital had some sort of stressful event prior to their admission. This event made their mental illness symptoms worse. A handful woke up one morning and said, I think I’ll kill myself today. Some patients experienced a total disconnect with reality. This happened when someone was hearing voices or seeing things that were not there.

Suicide is an interesting phenomenon. I have met 85 year old men who had just lost their wives after 60 years of marriage. They would say they did not want to live anymore. I worked with a 30 year old, stay-at-home mom, who had three children and an abusive husband. She told me her plan was to wait until her husband went to work and the kids went off to school. She would then ingest a bottle of Tylenol, go to bed and never wake up.

There were only two patients I worked with in my eight years as a social worker on a psychiatric unit that truly attempted suicide. Ray was a middle aged, divorced man. In a group session, he told us his depression and sense of hopelessness and helplessness had become intolerable. One day he drove his car to a large piece of desolate acreage. He parked on an old dirt trail somewhere close to the middle of the property. He left no suicide note and did not tell anyone where he was going. He had planned this event to end his life several weeks in advance.

Ray rigged it so the carbon dioxide filtered right into his car. He recalled the motor humming, lulling him to sleep. Not long after he fell asleep from the fumes, two hunters came along, unexpectedly, and rescued him. Ray recalled this divine intervention, which was the reason for his admission into the psychiatric hospital.

The other person made a very serious suicide attempt. The unit staff was abuzz talking about this new patient. Very few staff members entered his room, which he always kept very dark. I knew I had to meet with him to talk about his discharge plan. I know that sounds odd, but hospitals start planning your discharge the minute you are admitted.

I was nervous. I knew I was nervous. During the staff report earlier in the morning, I heard about his mangled face and head from the gunshot wound. I entered his room very slowly. He had a sitter with him 24/7. A sitter is a hospital staff member who is no more than arm's length away from a person who is actively in danger to themselves. I had my standard speech about my role and what to expect while in the hospital. There was silence. He mumbled something about understanding what I said and wanted to be alone. His eyes were swollen shut and half of the hair on his head was missing from where he shot himself. I truly believe if a person wants to kill themselves, they will. All of the necessary precautions can be put into place. A person can be monitored twenty-four hours a day with cameras. All it takes is a split second for a person to choose to end their life.

The following is information and observations I have collected over the years. Please read it with an open mind and an open heart for the millions of people in this world with a mental illness or addiction.

CHAPTER 1—MENTAL ILLNESS

1. Because you have money and a high IQ, you cannot suffer from a mental illness

Many patients have told me they wish they had cancer or kidney failure. People understand those illnesses. It always amazed me when I met with a family and they told me their loved one was very smart or had lots of money. They were insinuating that because of these attributes they could not have a mental illness. The intelligent mentally ill person knew something was wrong and usually experienced inner turmoil. The rich just had more money to impulsively spend when they were depressed or manic. If we define mental illness to mean it is a problem only when the illness interferes