Description

By Arcangelo Tinsley

ISBN: 978-1-84991-641-7
Published: 2011
Pages: 76
Key Themes: poetry, psychosis, medication, depression

Description

Hospitalscapes is a collection of 48 poems describing my feelings and attitude towards medication and injections, the mental health system and the once size fits all limited methods of treating patients. These poems include my views of the doctors, nurses and patients over a period of time during different occasions. I often felt extremely angry, depressed and despairing by the unnecessary harsh treatments, the mindless, inexorable boredom and longer detainment by the new team at a private long stay hospital where I was transferred to because of a fire at the previous hospital.

My earlier release date for community leave at the previous hospital was superseded by new diagnoses at the private hospital. I was often kept in for days on end after an angry outburst as my only privilege of ground leave was withdrawn. This caused me to become even more depressed and more obese through lack of exercise while I tried my best to contain my anger. There are numerous other reasons for my anger and despair often classed as residual psychosis, and a symptom of my mental illness as well as genetic . I imagine the drugs are supposed to keep us quiet and docile so if we remain disturbed it is assumed that we have become drug resistant, therefore, it was deemed logical that more of the same drug must be given regardless of any further damaging and irreversible side effects. It was the most hellish nightmare I have ever experienced and I hope these poems express and convey the feelings which I deeply and vividly lived throughout a period of 24 7 for nineteen months. Fortunately, I was granted a discharge by an enlightened Mental Health Tribunal who granted me a conditional discharge.

About the Author

Arcangelo Tinsley was born in London in 1966. He attended twelve schools before going to Essex University but left without completing his degree. He has worked as a Cocktail Bartender, a Grounds Man at Lords Cricket Ground, an Assistant Teacher and as a Carer.