Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Arlington

“Horrible experience for my daughter. She is diagnosed bipolar, and diagnosed with schizo-effective disorder. We went to Huguley hospital because she was having suicidal ideation, but they didn’t have a bed for her so they found her a space at perimeter. After reading the reviews, we didn’t want to accept, but decided to because we know not everyone’s experience is the same at these places. During the intake process, I felt better about leaving her as it seemed like they cared and everyone was very nice during this process. My daughter was admitted at 6:05 AM on Thursday. I went to visit her that evening and the visit was started late because they said they were short staffed. My daughter let me know they hadn’t given her her medications yet. We took all her medications and let them know when she needed them during the intake process. They told her she needed to see the psychiatrist first. The next day she called me and said they still hadn’t given her medication and she hasn’t seen the psychiatrist yet. I talked to a tech and they said she would see the Dr and then call me back. That evening she called and still hadn’t seen the Dr. I went to the facility to ask that she be released. There supervisor said they had to do a AMA and 24 hours for the Dr to see her first. She had already been there over 36 hours without seeing a Dr and without medications. I was able to speak to Dr Jaini who lied and said he saw my daughter (the nurse had already told me he hadn’t) and said he was changing her medications that’s why she hadn’t been given any medications. AS A DOCTOR YOU SHOULD KNOW TAKING A PATIENT OFF ANTIDEPRESSANTS/ANTIPSYCHOTICS WITHOUT WEANING IS DANGEROUS!!!! After threatening to call the cops for a welfare check he let her be discharged against medical advice. Please don’t take your people here!!!”

“Most humiliating, dehumanizing experience of my life. When I first arrived I was still wearing hospital clothes and they wouldn't let me go to my room to change. I had to sit there with everyone staring at me and me having no idea what's going on. Every day there were fights and nurses and children threatening you with "butty juice". Some of the staff act like they couldn't care less about you and force you to write your feelings out on paper like they actually care and aren't paid to be there. And they constantly ask you how your feeling. How do you think im feeling? Sitting there being observed all day, oh just peachy. The only good thing about this place was the food but other than that this place is terrible and if anything it only worsened how I felt about myself.”

“Absolutely horrible. I beg every parent to think twice before going here. My son wrote a note and was put on an EDO from his school. Little back story his girlfriend hit him and got sent SAC so her uncle put him under an EDO. We couldn’t fight it but was happy to know it expired. The doctor called me, gave me his opinion and when I disagreed told me he would fight me in court… mind you my kid has never been suicidal or self harming. He told me I had the right to transfer him. We called Mesa Springs, he had a bed, and they have fought, lied, avoided, and stepped on our rights as parents for over 24 hours. They do not work with parents, you have to agree with them. He is a senior in high school, and being made to miss all his last high school milestones due to an over zealous cop, and a Dr who doesn’t value the parents of their patients. Please please call Mesa Springs they work with you. It’s a team, even VILLAGE all working for your kid. It’s AMAZING!”

“Parents- if your child is depressed or suicidal- THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR HIM/ HER. If anything, it will worsen their condition. It is a BEHAVIORAL hospitaI. And know this- once you sign that consent form (they had me sign it before even arriving) you are basically signing your child over to them until they see fit to discharge. I voluntarily took my daughter up there but while doing the admissions process I decided to take her back home and go a different route . My daughter had not been taken back to the unit yet (btw you are not allowed to see back in the unit where your child will be staying, my child confirmed that it is completely opposite of how nice the lobby area is where you ARE allowed to see). They informed me that they would be calling CPS on me for taking her home AMA (against medical advice). I said ok, call them. Then they got the physician who had not yet even met my daughter much less evaluated her to place an emergency 24 hour hold on her so that I could not take her home. My daughter had recently been depressed and was having suicidal thoughts due to bullying. She has never been on medication, never attempted suicide, this was her first time in a situation like this and she was absolutely terrified. Begging me not to make her stay there. We were both bawling saying goodbye. There was nothing I could do and it was truly heartbreaking. I went and picked her up as soon as the 24 hours was up and will never take her back there. I cannot speak to the behavioral aspect of this place, maybe it’s a great program, I don’t know. What I do know is that behavioral problems and depression/ suicidal problems are 2 very different things and should not be grouped together.”