Posted by dantalion on November 24, 2004, at 20:05:05
In reply to Re: Hi from Bristol UK » dantalion, posted by alexandra_k on November 23, 2004, at 19:18:59
Hi Alexandra
I work in a rehab unit for people with severe and enduring mental health problems. I am living proof that alot of care workers work with people 'worse off' than themselves just to feel better !
seriously though it a nice place - non coercive and the residents are respected
Actually my experiences of being on the other side have helped my practice - I have been in two mental health units and was sectioned for a time so i know a bit what it feels like to be powerless. i keep this stuff from my co -workers cos the boundaries are very tightly fenced in this world - not in reality but in peoples heads
Ihave been around long enough in mental health (started my training in 82) to know that things have actually got better for those on the receiving end of psychiatry - the things i saw in those days could be barbaric I mean really barbaric
I also think i have picked up a bit of PTSD from some of the things i have seen like suicides self immolation abuse etc - I can still see some of those dead faces now in my head - but this goes with the territory
Anyway I was pretty f****d up before i came into psychiatry by my childhood and stuff and i have added to this with some stupid decisions and life choices but im still here and i dont reckon Im a bad bloke ! But I go from one crisis to the next - no serenity in my life - i get paranoid, depressed, anxious sometimes suicidal - in between that i have some laughs and funregards
Paul
poster:dantalion
thread:418905
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/newbs/20040812/msgs/419902.html