Ward 59!

Ward 59 is the main psychatric unit in the national hospital of Sri Lanka. When the students or the staff members hear the name they exactly know what it is. So the last week was spent at the ward 59. It is consisted with the ward and the occupational therapy unit as a combined unit.

Mainly there are three types of patients in the ward 59. They are Schizophrenia, depression and drug addicted patients. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder, which is controlled by drugs, but it will be continued through the entire life. Mainly these patients experience hallucinations and delusions. Hallucinations mean they can hear, see, smell or having the sensations of touching or the taste which doesn't actually exist in the reality.

Delusions mean they have thoughts, they automatically come in to their mind without any control. Unfortunately some are suicidal thoughts and they don't have any control over them. Also as an example they can hear someone is talking them and say the things they want to do. Some see their loved ones who are already dead. I think schizophrenia patients have one of the most pathetic lives on this earth. It's very hard to explain by words.

Found one of my fav from their liblary

You know what it means by "Depression". It's common in the society and we are always talking about it. The main problem of the depression patients is they neglect their personal hygiene. They don't like to bath and do not even try to do brushing in the morning without the guidance of the ward staff. People with severe depression do not even talk with others. So the others have to struggle with them.

It's true that their lives are very hard. We can not even imagine their complete reality without the experience. During this clinical visit some patients surprised me with their love, kindness and support for others in the same boat, although they are struggling in a battle field for surviving. Some words of the patients again confirmed that um in the place where I am belonged to! I always believed in the empathy, and sympathy should not be applied for this strong human beings!

Until we meet again!❣️