TikToker Shares Experience of Being Admitted to a Psychiatric Ward in Their 20s: "It's Lonely and Terrifying" - OK! Magazine

A 26 year old has bravely opened up about her struggles with mental health and her time spent in a psychiatric ward. While Kat Beck, who hails from Nottingham, was left feeling isolated and frightened during her stay, there was one thing that shocked her the most.

Kat has been documenting her mental health journey on her TikTok account, sharing raw experiences of what it's like to stay in a psychiatric ward. Some of her videos have received over 3.1 million likes, as she honestly discusses the mental health system, her struggles with 'unresolved trauma', and her symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

In one video, Kat shared her story of being admitted to a psychiatric ward and stated: 'There are a lot of factors in this, to be completely honest with you.' She added: 'Unresolved trauma that I’d held inside for years and not spoken to anyone about, alongside dealing with the symptoms of BPD (Borderline Personality Order) during a lockdown where I was living alone, all played a part in my admission.

'To be blunt, it was several serious overdoses that got me admitted and sectioned, but all of the reasons above played a part in why I wanted to end my life.'

Being admitted to a psychiatric ward in her twenties wasn't something Kat could fully prepare for, as she recalled: 'It was terrifying.' She explained: 'I was placed in a hospital three-plus hours away from all my friends and family, so I was extremely isolated. I felt so alone. I didn’t know anyone who had been in this position before, so I had no idea what to expect. It was very scary being admitted for the first time.'

However, the limitations imposed on patients for their safety was what shocked Kat the most. She shared: 'They can take your clothes away, strip your bedroom of all possessions, and put you on one-on-one observations where someone watches you 24/7, including in the toilet and shower.'

Describing the time as restrictive and often lonely, Kat found life on the ward anything from that she had imagined. 'There’s not a lot to do on a ward, so it gets very boring and lonely at times.

'You can’t do the usual things that people suggest to help your mental health when you’re sectioned, such as going for a walk or socialising with friends.'

Despite the challenges, Kat praised the nurses and psychology staff for their support, crediting trauma-focused therapy for providing a safe space to process and talk about her experiences. Kat turned to TikTok as a platform to connect with others facing similar struggles and a way to share her own experience.

She explained: 'When I was first admitted, I felt like I had nowhere to turn, and I was scared but had no one to ask what it was like.

'I wanted to show people in my position that it’s not as scary as it seems and that you’re not alone in this experience.' Despite her intentions, Kat's candid videos have been met with mixed reactions, and some have accused her of 'romanticising the psychiatric wards' or exaggerating her condition.

Addressing these claims, Kat said: 'People have this idea that you should be lying in bed depressed every single day, not posting on TikTok, but the reality is it’s not like that, especially with my diagnosis.' She also said: 'The main misconception I see on TikTok is that it’s an easy way of living, like a holiday camp.

'This could not be further from the truth. You witness traumatic things here, and I would not wish that on anyone.' At 26, she continues to prioritise her mental health and bravely share her progress, offering support to others along their path.