Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > Psych Hospitals

Fair Oaks Hospital in Summit, NJ?

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hann:
Stacey - I was in Adolescent Unit Feb-Jun 1986. My name is Heather. I'm not sure if i can place my memory of you - but I think I know who you are... I remember Erica, Krista and Melanie - and Greg with the long hair...and others... Its been a long road since then but really reaching my stride the past few years. I often wonder how kids I knew there are getting on in their adult lives.

I've been trying to remember the last name of a counselor named Denise who did the relaxation therapy sessions. Those were really beneficial to me. Do you remember her? And for all the Elvis fans out there... I had the 'pleasure' of her watching me shower because i was on "arms length" due to confessing I wanted to hurt myself.... yeach! ;)

My experience there fortunately for me was  positive - not that I was happy to be there or I enjoyed it -- but that being locked up kept me from progressing into more dangerous drug use and behavior. I know enough about myself now to understand that I function best with an imposed structure - which that place gave me. The staff introduced me to AA (which when I was ready for it, 5 years later, saved my life - I am grateful to have had that exposure at 17) and the Relaxation Therapy taught me skills which became the basis for a path of education and coping that continues to be a significant part of self care, everyday.

I was discharged after my insurance ran out -- obviously I was part of the system there along with everyone else. But, I was in big trouble back then and probably wouldn't have survived without intervention. It's upsetting to know that perhaps many of the kids were damaged by what was apparently a somewhat corrupt system. I know that other hospitals had strong reputations as places of abuse - I'm grateful I wasn't in one of those places. I'm sorry for anyone who was - or is - hurt, in any way, by these malfunctioning institutions.

bstan1976:
I was in Fair Oaks in summer of 88. My parents were duped into sending me there by a family friend/shrink(who no doubt got a cut for his referrals) because I was "incorrigible" . Just reading the words Dr. Strong and quiet room makes me sick. I was 12 years old when "Dr" Robin Shimmel prescribed heavy antipsychotic drugs that made me blind and wet the bed. I often dream of returning there as I am now (6'6 240lbs 34years old) and seeing if they would attempt the same abuse they enacted on the scared 12 year old I was. I am now married with two beautiful children of my own, but my teens and early twenties were marred by drug abuse and depression that Fair Oaks had a large hand in. I dont blame my parents but I hope every single staff member that worked there while i was there fries in hell for what they did. Its ironic that my family still doesnt believe me about the stuff that happened there.

DannyB II:

--- Quote from: "bstan1976" ---I was in Fair Oaks in summer of 88. My parents were duped into sending me there by a family friend/shrink(who no doubt got a cut for his referrals) because I was "incorrigible" . Just reading the words Dr. Strong and quiet room makes me sick. I was 12 years old when "Dr" Robin Shimmel prescribed heavy antipsychotic drugs that made me blind and wet the bed. I often dream of returning there as I am now (6'6 240lbs 34years old) and seeing if they would attempt the same abuse they enacted on the scared 12 year old I was. I am now married with two beautiful children of my own, but my teens and early twenties were marred by drug abuse and depression that Fair Oaks had a large hand in. I dont blame my parents but I hope every single staff member that worked there while i was there fries in hell for what they did. Its ironic that my family still doesnt believe me about the stuff that happened there.
--- End quote ---

bstan1976,
My name is DannyB II, I was wondering if I could have a dialog with you concerning your statement that you don't blame your parents. I am genuinely curious as to why and how you came to this conclusion. I am not being judgmental or do I have a agenda.
Recently in my life I have had to re-think certain conclusions I had formed in my basic foundation of thoughts, I built over the years, since I left treatment. So I am looking for other members insight.
BTW thanks for your post.

psy:

--- Quote from: "bstan1976" ---Its ironic that my family still doesnt believe me about the stuff that happened there.
--- End quote ---
Of course not.  Then they'd have to deal with the guilt.  Have you ever tried telling them you forgive them?  That can help take away the possibility of guilt and make accepting the truth a lot easier for parents (did with mine).

bstan1976:
sure danny no sweat

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