This is a little seditious but a psych ward is no maximum security prison. Getting over the wall for a little bit is no hard thing. You are generally observed a few times a day for a head count but that leaves plenty of time in between to get out and see the horizon. No one likes to be cooped up. They have organized outings for sure but a quick jaunt for an Irish coffee isn’t going to harm anyone if you’re a voluntary patient. If you stay out too long you’ll be brought back in a black and white. Most likely if you time it right, no one will miss you, if not, jokingly tell them clowns abducted you, and after making you pee in a cup all will be well with them.
If there is a stigma attached to being inside a psych ward, if some people are going to look at you a little funny, if people are going to smile and nod, let it work for you. Anyone that matters is going to understand, have fun with everyone else. You now have the perfect opportunity to do all those things you always wanted to do. Go to church in your auntie’s best dress. Go buy your groceries in your nightgown. Stand on the roof of your house and scream, “I’m on top of the world Ma.” Try to keep your sense of humor through it all. A funny bone is going to help you heal faster than anything, a book full of wisdom says: “A downcast spirit crushes the bones, but a happy spirit is health to the whole body.” Even doctors today will have to agree that this is a fact. A happy, fun finding attitude floods the mind and body with all sorts of good chemicals to cure what ails you. So sit down the back of the garden all day until some one asks you what you are doing so you can show them the fairies, then laugh about it when you are alone at night.
One in four will visit. How many are in the room with you right now? There is nothing to fear in being inside and getting rest and help. Your stay need not be long, actually it can be very beneficial and enjoyable. So get the best out of it.