What is life like working in an inpatient psychiatric hospital? (UK)

In this video I talk about what life is like in a psychiatric hospital, the work that I did, the different rules and regulations, how a psychiatric hospital looks like in 2020. As usual, I rant a little bit about my reflections on the existing stigma there is in society about institutionalisation and what it implies about someone who is institutionalised.
Please comment, share and subscribe if you've enjoyed the video - and let me know if there are any videos you would like to see!
Also, join me on instagram if you haven't already:
/ theoxfordpsych

[@sylvianiac]

i was a bit of a repeat patient in CAMHS tier 4 units as a teenager. it’s interesting seeing things from staff’s perspective. i’m now 18 and haven’t been admitted since my birthday, start higher education in sept, watching this with the hope of working in mental health myself. cheers for the motivation and insight.

[@aliciavictor2445]

Hey! I just wanted to let you know that your videos are so useful!!! I'm starting my third year of Psychology undergrad this September (hopefully) doing a one-year placement at a low-secure hospital in North London. It seems quite daunting but at the same time, it feels exciting! Thanks for sharing your experiences, there aren't many informative UK clinical psychology videos out here :)

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Hey! Thanks for the lovely message, and best of luck 🥰

[@goertzpsychiatry9340]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWnSnqWvfaihZ7s

[@MsMaryAmelia]

I’ve just been hired as an AP in a psychiatric hospital and I haven’t really known what to expect. This was so helpful. Thank you!

[@goertzpsychiatry9340]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWnSnqWvfaihZ7s

[@bhaktiraithatha3281]

To work in the hospital environment do you need to be Councilling psychologist or clinical psychologist

[@lilywayman2291]

Hey! I graduated last year in psychology and have really struggled to find any psychology related job since but your videos have given me a bit of motivation to keep trying and they're super insightful, thank you x

[@goertzpsychiatry9340]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWnSnqWvfaihZ7s

[@marcolee1632]

Any updates on your progress, Lily? Are you using your psychology degree 2 years later?

[@roman2soiko2]

most jobs in psychology require either masters or doctorate to land a job

[@clare1971]

Just watched the video today and you seem like a wonderful person and very understanding and respectful to mentally unstable people, thank you for being such a thoughtful woman

[@tanidantata1640]

thanks for this put my mind at rest a bit by giving me an idea what its like a relative was admitted and ive been so depressed and anxious about this. also only heard her story so far and was relieved to hear the experience of someone who worked there, this has helped me a lot, that my loved one is going to make it out alive and its not where she wants to be but theres a light at the end thanks and God bless you for your video helps me keep my sanity when i hear this!

[@arinzearum7484]

This is 2024 and this video is still a treasure! Conversational yet so detailed. Shout out to you, @TheOxfordpsych

[@123mervemerve]

This video was so informative and brought back a lot memories as I worked in a psychiatric hospital for 6 months!

[@AnnKateMis]

This video is so relatable, I had similar reflections while working on an inpatient ward. Definitely, a good experience for psychology graduates pursuing a career in psychology.

[@goertzpsychiatry9340]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWnSnqWvfaihZ7s

[@anditurner8630]

Spot on video just finished 30 years as specialist advisor PMVA your outline of the area is real life

[@SuperDilushi]

Loved this video! I’m going to be working as a support worker in PICU ward, and this has really given me a good insight. I love your content, keep it up :)

[@j-ak8545]

I worked in a male PD unit and I was there for, what, 3/4 months before I left? I just couldn’t hack it. I gained a lot of experience, eye opening experience especially which has aided my understanding of people and how they handle themselves in highly stressful situations, especially those diagnosed with personality disorders. I also had time on CAMHS units and witnessed enough there, too. Within a small amount of time, I have a lot of stories that you could not write. It’s not an environment I can thrive in, but I did leave with an overwhelming appreciation for those who can do the role and try so hard to help those in need, whether it be rehabilitating or simply keeping them alive. I have worked in settings where risk is rife and, like you, I’m desensitised to it - where I work now there is still that element of risk however not as challenging as those other places, but something about psychiatric hospitals goes beyond me. So a huge kudos to anybody who has been, and still is, working in psychiatric hospitals.

[@contemplatinggod2791]

Thank you, havent seen anyone elaborate on meantal health carreer in an elaborate manner as this. You really know your stuff m’am.

[@theunrulyjoyclub]

Even though this video came out years ago, I am glad I saw this, thank you.

[@dazzledarren1271]

Hey - Thanks for a very good video and showing there are nice kind people working in mental health. It's now September's 2023. I hope you are doing well and having a good life and career.

[@micamontanagray5955]

Hey! Just wanted to say that I really love and appreciate your videos and they're super helpful in terms of exploring psychology careers (which is something I am in the process of doing!). I would say though that as someone who also has lived experience I found this title to be a little misleading as I thought it would be speaking from an inpatient perspective and I clicked on it excited to see someone on the doctorate also being vocal about lived experience. A suggestion might be to just add 'what is life like *working* in an inpatient hospital', just incase other people with lived experience have the same kind of confusion. Thank you!

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Great point, thank you!! Will change it now ~

[@Supersmooth007-bq3en]

Thanks for video. I work at acute psychiatric wards too. I am on bank due to my self employment so sometimes when I do a shift and get to know a "patient" through obs before my next shift the patient may be discharged and there would be a new admission so I don't really get to see patients recovery. I find it challenging but rewarding. Sometimes I am not always aware of what is part of their mental health condition or behavioural that can be controlled if you're with me. For instance racism aimed at staff or other patients - this can be controlled surely!! No need for it. I don't enjoying doing restraints but has to be done sometimes and it can be demanding and many patients appear not to have filtering process and or if I am writing up carenotes they could still interrupt and bang on about their leave when they already know they have no leave so some may ask every staff. I also worked at specialist services and rehabilitation as well so had some experience which is joy of being on the bank is to pick and choose shifts. Thanks for sharing experience! PS - you have a nice set of white nashers hehe :) very positive energy. :)

[@alisontaylor2164]

Thank you so much for this. You’re telling my daily story at work. I work in a female in patient ward. Everything you’ve said is spot on.

[@bipolarwanderer]

I don't normally watch videos where someone just talk for minutes without any othet added photos or videos - yknow, just them talking but I loved this video a lot. I've been having suicidal thoughts and thinking of voluntarily admitting myself into a psych ward and been doing some research and all I see on youtube are just horrible stories/experience but this video is just giving me so much possibility that psych wards arent just a "prisoner" or a horrible place to be so thank you. I loved this video.

[@dazzledarren1271]

How are you doing iwritestuff in September 2023.

[@anwvererere]

noice, im going to be a pwp when i apply for it in nov at ucl. About to start a job as a supprot worker, cannot wait!

[@IsabellaLHJones]

This was such an informative video, thank you 🙏🏼

[@sjf9205]

inpatient experiences 100% shaped my practice.

[@goertzpsychiatry9340]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWnSnqWvfaihZ7s

[@harrieta6961]

It would be good to do a video about how patients reintegrate into society after hospital, trauma that acute hospitals can cause and why there is a revolving door in psychiatric hospitals.

[@Lilidrko]

I know this is off topic but would you do a haircare routine..... I'd love to see it because your hair is so radiant

[@TomTomDam]

This was super informative, thanks for the video. I noticed you mentioned being so overwhelmed that you broke down a few times. It must be super hard working in such an unpredictable environment. Could I ask if it was due to compassion fatigue or just due to the stress of working with the patients in general?

[@naturalcooking525]

Great video, great insight,. Very interesting

[@Shapmiyo]

Beautiful tour with cheerful disposition :) The break away training part was interesting :D

[@StudywithMe-tt1rn]

nice video, random qs but please share your skincare routine :) I want my face to look more tighter.. any tips?

[@2016T]

Very well spoken

[@bianka94825]

Hi! :) im just in the middle of the application process for clinical psy courses so your channel is super helpful🙏 off topic but I have to mention, your skin is glowing😍can u share your skincare once?😁

[@prof.o3997]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. ^___^

[@beethapa1634]

Could you please tell me more about Graduate Mental Health Worker? This would be so much helpful. Most of the information I found about Graduate Mental Health Worker (Trainee Mental Health Worker) are so vague. 😩

[@fancyboats]

How do patients recover from psychiatric injections? What kind of medicines are they? A sketchy hospital used it without consent and caused great damage.

[@depaki]

thank you for the insights. will not be going in mental health fields lol.

[@haleyw8601]

Hey! I love all your videos, they are so helpful for students like myself who are international and studying Psychology in the UK. I just want to ask that what are the ways for graduates to find assistant jobs and other psychology related work experiences in the uk?

[@TheOxfordPsych]

It’s a bit trickier for internationals due to visa issues - have a look at my July q&a highlight on Instagram (final few questions) to see!

[@MudlarkDiggingUpTheThames]

Very interesting, thanks

[@hijislay3618]

Heya, thanks for the amazing video! I was just wondering if a 14 year old can admit themself into a psychiatric hospital? Thanks again.

[@Charlotte-ji3vl]

this really depends on where you live. in the UK generally no however, if it is seen that you will benefit from a psychiatric hospital you can go in voluntarily rather than under section. but generally it is seen that for people not in a major crisis it can actually be more triggering to go into the hospital than not.

[@hijislay3618]

@@Charlotte-ji3vl Thanks for the reply. I really think I would benefit from it - I have dissociative disorders and lots more. I desperately need help. I'm under CAMHS but they aren't helping as I only see the crisis team, and I don't have a key worker. I really don't know what to do, I'll probably be dead by next week if I don't make a good decision. But thanks anyway.

[@Charlotte-ji3vl]

@@hijislay3618 please try and hold on and stay safe. my recommendation would be getting in contact with the crisis team or getting a parent to and asking about a voluntary admission due to not feeling safe in the community. however, there are no promises but it's good to have an adult on your side.

[@Charlotte-ji3vl]

@@hijislay3618 ultimately be honest and hope that they have your best interests at heart

[@hijislay3618]

@@Charlotte-ji3vl I am trying, I've just tried to get a referral to CDS UK to receive support for my DID. The crisis team I see are essentially useless - they shame the patients, making their situations worse. I do not live with my parents; I was taken away after years of abuse. I currently live with my aunt, but she said she won't let me go. Thanks for the help.

[@anditurner8630]

Cigs run ward time was even worse when I started on acute and service users could smoke on the ward

[@animdrag518]

i cnt stop looking at ur jawline and cheek bones

[@blackilfs98x11]

This is such an informative video! Thank you for this! How would you describe your assistant psychologist role within a psychiatrist hospital? What type of treatment would you provide? Just very curious, thank you!

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Hey! Our hospital was predominantly focused on Dialectal Behavioural Therapy techniques, but we do a lot of substance misuse, positive behavioural support and qualifieds work with schema therapy too, etc etc. So quite a mix!

[@blackilfs98x11]

@@TheOxfordPsych Oh, that's so interesting!! Thank you for your reply!!

[@clare1971]

I think breaking down shows your human side

[@latanezimbardo7129]

oh my balls! well I hope male patients have enough empathy to not kick others' balls

[@DennisNelson-ee2il]

It wasn't all that long ago when these places would be open to the public,who could come and view the patient's,don't know if they still have those sack cloth gowns.Just have this idea of screaming and wild hair.

[@eoinMB3949]

"Theyre just normal people who cant control their emotions"...........Im sorry but this is nonsense. Everyone, no matter whats happened to you in life, get to choose your response. This was the conclusion that Victor Frankl came to in his book "Mans search for meaning". If people are enabled then they wont control themselves but when people are made to endure the consequences for their actions........then you'll see them adjusting their behavior and all of a sudden theyre no longer not in control of their emotions.

[@kattam312]

Have you watched Jordan B Peterson ? he got me interested in psychology.

[@TheOxfordPsych]

Yes - 12 rules for life is apparently great !

[@jakeh9093]

This video is very old but i wanna ask if anyone seeing this saw a channel named jessies life ? This young blond girl ran it used to cover ins and outs of a institution room.

[@paulmatejka7371]

I’m now crazy about her

[@jshdbdbxdnjxhxbdndm7240]

U gotta to admit the nurse n maid work hardest in building plus they smoke alot of cigarettes in break time

[@lessevilnyarlathotep1595]

ah, involuntary inpatient hospitalisation, my beloathed so many memories, like that time a thirteen year old was crying from an anxiety attack saying they wanted their mom, and a nurse rang the alarm causing two Massive male nurses to tackle them to the ground, pull their pants down and forcibly inject them with muscle relaxant. then tied them to their bed for three days as a punishment for "lashing out". good times (sarcastic)