Tampa General Behavioral Health Hospital

“I was being borderline medically abused here. I'm a type 1 diabetic and they could not carry out basic levels of care. They sent me to the ER over a low blood sugar, and when the stretcher arrived, I was fine. Then they said they needed bloodwork to make sure I wasn't in DKA. For context, DKA is for excessively high blood sugar. I had a low blood sugar. Was in the hospital for five whole days because they refused to admit me again, claiming I was "medically complex". The doctor had to ask multiple times if I was a type 1 or type 2. He shouldn't have to rely on me to remember something that important. Night shift nurses were absolutely wonderful, the day shift nurses didn't care and often responded to my concerns with dismissal or passive aggression. One nurse (I think her name was Crystal or something) tried to administer me my insulin during meals while I was eating, which is unsanitary. Not only that, but in a psychiatric care facility, you should be aware of those who are triggered by needles. I told her this, and she did not care. The same nurse denied me my long acting insulin for over ten hours because she thought I would overdose. How in the world would I do that? Then, the doctor wanted to change my insulin plan without ever asking my parents. The amount of times I told my caretakers "that's not how it works" is laughable. They wanted me to check for ketones when I was low. They told me not to eat when I was running slightly high, and then punished me for not eating. It genuinely takes one google search to understand how to take care of a diabetic. Maybe call an educator. Ask my parents. Or, I don't know, look at the detailed plan you were given? I also was admitted with my own personal insulin pumps and transmitters, pens, etc. everything they could need. They told me they couldn't use it, which was understandable. But from the counter, I watched Crystal tamper with one of the insulin pumps, opening not only the box but the sterile pump inside. Then, when I was discharged, they did not give me any of my personal supplies back, claiming they lost it. Apart from the medical abuse, I was only allowed there because I had been bakeracted. If it were voluntary admission, they would not have accepted me. After coming back from the hospital, a psychiatrist told me things along the lines of "You're mature for your age", "You speak eloquently", "You're intelligent". Then had me sign a form that pretty much said I was there voluntarily, which scared me. Just because I "speak eloquently", she told me my problems "weren't acute" and that this "wasnt the right place" for me. That reads as "You're literate, so you clearly aren't bad enough." in a clearly ill mind. The group therapy was always a bored woman reading from a packet, "educators" telling us that depression makes people sad (wow! i never knew that!) or a happy-go-lucky kindergarten teacher that wanted us to write a fancy letter. There was no actual therapy, just a random person on a screen asking if you still want to die and that's about it. the time we got outside was literally an enclosed courtyard, no grass. just concrete. Four walls. They offered a gym, but it was just an empty open space. Also the food sucked. the scrambled eggs weren't scrambled. it was a rubber block.”

“My son has suffered from severe mental illness with psychosis since he was quite young. As a result, he has been hospitalized numerous times. TGH has given him the best inpatient psychiatric care he’s ever received. The medical team has been receptive to concerns and important historical information regarding the course of his illness and is up to date on latest medical advances. Equally important, support staff from the front desk to the MH Techs, has been caring and kind.”

“My wife was there for 6 days. They would not check her blood sugar. I had to say sometimg to 2 different nurses 2 different days before they checked it. They did not run any test on her condition but still made diagnoses. Iam her husband &was kept in the dark. When they discharged her they had no problem presenting the bill,& wanting money then. Tried several times while she was in to call & check on her & nobody would answer the phone”

“I went into this hellscape voluntarily to get my meds recalibrated. The only good thing I have to say about this place is they managed to get my dose dialed in. Cold showers that by the house managers own admission has been a battle for a VERY long time. I have severe celiac disease, allergies and a sensory based aversions to most normal foods. They repeatedly tried to give me meds and foods that I cant have. A dumb dr there said but you don't have any med allergies. Had to explain allergens to components of medication are still allergens. The release process was ineffective explained to me and other patients. They didnt even try to provide me with enough calories for each day through ensures. When I signed for release a dr threatened me with a baker act in order to strong arm me into resending my request. It was effective and I signed under duress to a form stating I still agreed to remain there. This place traumatized me so badly that now I'll be too fearful to go in for help there or anywhere else. I'm in contact with a lawyer and will be sharing the info given to me by other voluntary patients during my stay. If you need help I pray this is your very very very last resort. Better places are out there for you. I promise.”