Orlando Health Behavioral Health Hospital

Extremely Disappointing I was recently admitted to a behavioral health facility, and unfortunately, my experience was horrible. I went there because I was struggling with severe insomnia, depression, and hearing voices. I went in around 6:45 PM and did not arrive on the behavioral health unit until approximately 9:30 PM. I brought all of my prescribed medications with me and explained that I was unable to sleep and was hearing voices. I was told that they could not give me my nighttime medications and that the only thing they could give me was an over-the-counter allergies med. I explained that this would not put me to sleep and that, because I was hearing voices, being left alone in a quiet room without being able to sleep was extremely distressing. I was told I had no choice. I sat on the bed and cried for approximately 45 minutes. At one point, someone came into my room while I had my hands over my face, and instead of asking if I was okay or offering support, I was asked whether… I was finished with my water cup because it needed to be removed. There was an aide sitting outside my door who did bring me a towel for my tears, and I appreciated that small gesture. For approximately four hours, I could not sleep and repeatedly asked for help. I was repeatedly told that I had to remain in the room and could not receive anything else to help me sleep. I eventually asked the person sitting outside my door why she was watching me. She told me I was a "Q5." I had no idea what that meant, and when I asked her, she did not explain and simply remained quiet. I found this extremely frustrating, especially when I was already distressed and trying to understand what was happening. Eventually, I got dressed and told staff that I wanted to leave. I pointed out information in my paperwork that I believed stated I could leave. Two people came into my room and told me that I could not leave until I saw a doctor. At that point, the night nurse offered me something else to help me sleep, but I was so frustrated and overwhelmed that I continued saying that I wanted to leave. The nurse told me, "Don't let the doctor see you in that condition," and told me it was a yes-or-no decision. Eventually, I agreed to take the medication and was taken to what they called the "noise room," where I was allowed to watch television. Around 6:30 AM, shortly before shift change, another staff member came to my door and began speaking to the aide who had been sitting outside my room. He apparently believed I was asleep. He asked her why she had not contacted him to tell him that I was "giving her a hard time" and said there had been an email about me. He then began discussing other patients within my hearing. He talked about a patient with a medical issue and made comments about patients potentially harming others and staff being held responsible. He also discussed another patient's behavior and said that a male patient had been mean to him but apologized after taking medication. I was not asleep. I eventually sat up and told him that he should not assume patients are sleeping and then discuss them within their hearing. I asked him several times for his name, and he refused to give it to me, saying that morning staff would be there in about 30 minutes. He also told the other staff member that he was leaving in about 30 minutes anyway. I went to the nurses' station to complain, and I could hear him laughing and saying that he would be leaving in approximately 20 minutes. I felt humiliated, uncomfortable, and extremely upset. At that point, I just wanted to leave. When I finally saw the doctor, I was crying and my face was swollen from crying throughout the night. I told him that I wanted to leave. I was told that if I tried to leave, he would send me to another hospital and initiate an involuntary hold. I felt like I had no choice but to stay. At that point, I felt that the only way to get through the situation was to comply and say what I needed to say