Off The Hook!

Busy time once again. Down a co-worker to jury duty and had to pick up the slack. Being busy makes the day go by fast! Part of me likes it, another part wants me to fiddle around with the computer - blogging about new insights, and playing backgammon against the rude people from England who quit right before you beat them.

I enjoyed today. I saw people who, without medication would be living in asylums. Today's medication is amazing. One person came in, who I had seen a few times before - I recognized his face but not his smile. He was psychotic as hell a few months ago, now he is stable enough to work - as a roofer!

I like most aspects of my job - even if I have to interact with people just out of the psych ward and barely present. It sometimes surprises me when they smile, say something insightful, then go back into a stupor. It shows you that a person exists under the ailment. I take my hat off to those that work closely with the chronically ill.

The movie Awakenings with Robin Williams is a must see. It depicts a man hungry to connect with catatonic patients. I have experienced clients like this only a few times and found it frustrating. They were so petrified they simply stiffened up and went into mental hiding. I can't even imagine the type of abuse these folks must have experienced - if that is the cause. Mental illness to that level often has a family history element or hard core substance usage.

A sad note was having to walk a person who was placed on a hold to the lock down unit in our complex. After listening to them give a disertation on why they didn't need to be hospitalized the documents had already been signed (this time not by me). But after all the negotiations ended, they dejectedly took the "death walk". Trust me, this client had it good. With no insurance and looking at a facility like County USC or Harbor UCLA to go to, La Casa has a great, compassionate staff, our same Psychiatrist in whom the client already had a relationship with, and better food I am sure.

Now I am not knocking the county facilities, but having hordes of clients who are in extreme states with you, or a cozy place where you can watch the Dodgers woop the Diamond Backs on the T.V. I choose La Casa.

Just another busy day. All my paperwork is done, and I am pleased.