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Why is it that Hollywood movies depict the psychiatric ward as an environment populated by deranged lunatics? Almost every single movie I can think of creates the same bleak environment. Odd numbered fluorescent bulbs flickering in a dark cold hallway. The echoing sound of distant screams and feverent pounding. If you cared to peek inside the poor excuse for a door window, you would find a lonely individual rocking back and forth with their knees against their chest. Stark, cold, and lonely.

Are these re-created psych wards all that realistic and accurate?

I read through an article today written by a woman who spent some time in a psych ward. The reason for her admittance was severe depression. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 30 million Americans will suffer from some sort of depression in their lifetime. Depressing fact isn’t it? Most of these cases can be resolved with some sort of medication / psycho-therapy. Severe cases, as such experienced by Laurie, are often remedied at a psychiatric facility. So what is life like at a psych ward?

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