Post #14 Inside Psychiatric Wards – 10 Items You Can Have Friends/Family Bring In For You

1. Comfortable clothing

Unless you want to stay in those blue gowns that are open in the back, you’re allowed for friends and family to bring you clothes for fit, coverage and comfort including T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants and shorts. Just make sure that the drawstring for sweatshirts and sweatpants are pulled out because you can’t have any cords in your possession. Shirts shouldn’t have foul words or language.

Hack: If no one can bring you clothes, and you must stay in the blue gown, always ask to wear two gowns. The first layer is to have the gown open in the back and the second layer is the gown opening in the front = instant coverage.

2. Underwear and socks

The hospital has disposable underwear for patients that’s made of thin white gauze material and meant to stretch and fit most people. The good thing about that is that you don’t have to wash the only underwear you wore when you were admitted. But you’re allowed underwear that fits if brought in/dropped off by a visitor. Trust me, this is important or else you’re pulling up your underwear every minute or pulling out wedgies.

3. Slip-on shoes or sneakers

Upon admission, you are given socks with white traction strips at the bottom to prevent you from slipping. They are all one-size since these socks are without heels, so they will slip down or get stretched out if you don’t ask for a new pair daily. Ask friends or family to bring you slip-on shoes or sneakers so you can walk comfortably. Just know that shoelaces must be pulled out because ties of any kind are not allowed.

4. Toiletries

Hospital lotion is pretty watery so I asked for my husband to bring my personal lotion. You’re allowed your other personal toiletries too as long as there are no razor blades or anything else that has glass or metal.

5. Phone and charger

Your cell and charger will be kept behind the front desk for safekeeping until the open window for cell phone privileges. It’s important to remind the staff to charge your phone or else you lose the 1- or 2-hour window you’re allowed to have it in your possession, like in your room if you wish to speak privately. Trust me, it can be heartbreaking not being able to reach out to others when you’re locked inside.

6. Books/magazines

While there are books and magazines available to patients to read, they may not always be the genre you prefer reading. Having a book or magazine as a companion is always a safe bet when you feel you need to occupy yourself during quiet times.

7. Journals

Most psychiatric wards I stayed in gave me a thin notebook and pencil for writing and you can always ask for more. If you prefer to write in your own journal, ensure that it doesn’t have spiral binding. No pokey metal.

8. Pictures

One time, I was hospitalized for a month without being able to receive any visitors because it was in the middle of the COVID pandemic. Pictures helped me get through the challenges of being completely separated by family. Pictures in frames may be prohibited unless the glass is taken out, but the edge of frames may be iffy for staff. It’s safer to keep pictures loose; they also make great bookmarks.

9. Watch

For those of you who are used to wearing watches or like to be keenly aware of the time, my fellow hospital friend Wayne was able to keep a children’s watch that was plastic and pretty risk-free. See the picture above.

10. Favorite Snacks

Plenty of snacks were always available for patients to enjoy at any given time like chips and granola bars. If you crave to have your favorites, there’s nothing wrong with anyone bringing you your favorite candy bars and other snacks.