Nurse Tales: Unforgettable Scary Encounters with Psychiatric Patients

If you're just starting your journey as a nurse, you might not yet have experienced all that the field can offer. But for seasoned nurses, some stories stick out in memory more than others. In particular, the encounters with psychiatric patients can be both challenging and, at times, quite scary. Let’s dive into some of the most memorable moments from experienced nurses.

Odd but Manageable: The Walking Feces Incident

One nurse, who prefers to be unnamed, recounts her experience with a patient who engaged in peculiar behavior. The patient, treated as a brotherly figure, started carrying his own feces around like it was nothing unusual. This odd behavior not only repulsed the nurse but also raised questions about how to manage such a situation without causing further distress.

Given the patient's actions, the nurse and her team resorted to what is known as scauturing therapy. This type of therapy aims to force a patient to behave in a more acceptable manner, often through verbal cues that mimic parental guidance. The technique does not involve physical violence but can be emotionally challenging. By using this method, the patient eventually stopped walking around with his feces and began to use the restroom appropriately.

Card Games and Multiple Personalities: A Case of Switching Personalities

Tonya’s experience with a patient suffering from split personality disorder (now known as dissociative identity disorder) offers a window into the unpredictable nature of psychiatric care. One night, Tonya was playing cards with a patient who suddenly switched to a childlike persona mid-game. This abrupt transition was both bewildering and surreal for both the nurse and the patient.

A Family Tragedy: Therapy Turned into Shock

Another nurse, who was not involved in the previous stories, shares a personal tale from her career as a head psychologist. She talks about a mid-aged woman who was referred to her clinic. The patient’s husband became furious when he found out about his wife’s interest in the nurse. He even made threatening phone calls. However, weeks later, the nurse received shocking news that her patient’s husband had unfortunately died in a car accident. The nurse’s feelings were a mix of relief and mild grief for the patient.

A Physical Threat: The Untying Incident

Another nurse, whom we'll call Sarah, describes a harrowing incident that involved the use of restraints. She was an ER psych nurse who always found the small women particularly amusing. But she was taken aback when one such woman attempted to attack her—punching her and attempting to strangle her. Fortunately, her tech and two police officers were nearby, averting a potentially dangerous situation.

Close Call: Suicidal Overdose

Another memorable encounter involved a suicidal patient who was placed in a safe room by the doctor’s orders. An hour later, the nurse found the patient barely breathing. A quick response from the tech saved the day by getting the patient to a trauma room where they discovered the patient had taken an overdose in the waiting room bathroom. While she lived, the experience was particularly terrifying for the nurse, illustrating the high-stakes nature of psychiatric care.

These stories, though unsettling, highlight the important work that nurses do to care for psychiatric patients. They also remind us of the unpredictable nature of mental health and the importance of trust and preparedness in the field.