Within the Walls: Experiences of Admission to Psychiatric Hospital in Ireland Prior to 2001

There has been a dramatic shortage of patient-focused research in the history of psychiatric inpatient treatment. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of a sample of inpatients of psychiatric hospitals in Ireland before the introduction of the Mental Health Act in 2001. Six adults (aged 40–73 years; M = 57) who had been inpatients in Irish psychiatric institutions were interviewed using a semi-structured format. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The analysis yielded four Group Experiential Themes (GET): Within the Walls, the Treatment of Treatments, Relationship with Self and Identity as Patient, and Relationships and Ruptures. Each GET comprised two subthemes exploring the impact of participants' admission to a psychiatric hospital. Participants described a complex and ambivalent relationship to their psychiatric admission. The findings emphasised the need to understand the individuals' experiences and the societal and cultural context in which the admission occurred. The findings highlighted how historical psychiatric admissions impacted social identity and wellbeing. The findings have direct clinical implications. This cohort is aging and may require inpatient services in the form of nursing home care. For those who have experienced long-term psychiatric institutionalisation, it is important to tailor support for this group whose voices have not been heard until now.