College Hospital- Cerritos

Reviews 3

JO

Josh Goldner

I dont know what to say. This is the single worst place I have ever visited. I feel lucky, however, that I was able to read these reviews while my mom was only in the hospital for a day and a half. She may be in there longer, but Ill get to that later. I am currently 16 years old and my mom was diagnosed with bipolar when she was younger, has only had a couple episodes in her life and had another episode throughout the last week and a half. Just so you know a few things about my mom, she came from South Africa and is one of the funniest, most energetic people I have ever had the pleasure of being with. When I entered College Hospital, something seemed weird. Firstly, everything seemed like it came straight out of "American Horror Story: Asylum" season 2, however, instead of a french song playing over and over, Tom and Jerry cartoons were/are playing over and over, all day, every day. I was with my dad and when they took out my mom, it was hard not to cry. She was/is literally a zombie. This was earlier tonight. My mom was collapsing, couldnt speak and couldnt sit still for a minute. I honestly dont think she knows who either of us are for the moment. My dad demanded to find out what they were giving her to make her this way and even though they kept bringing over nurses to give us explanations, there was not a doctor or psychiatrist in sight. The psychiatrist refused to speak to my moms actual psychiatrist who at the time was trying to lower the doses of her medication because she was getting better. They have instead, given her way too much medication which is why shes like this now. I would like to mention that even with calling the past day or so, no one from the hospital has returned any of our calls. In fact, my mom was admitted there from a real hospital in Newport Beach without them letting us know. So, as my mom was literally stumbling around the visitors room, where other mental patients were yelling or vigorously watching Tom and Jerry (One where Tom nearly hangs himself.... ironic for a mental ward), my mom was able to let out one sentence. "This place is terrible." Tears were streaking down my dads face as he promised that he would get my mom out of there. A couple hours later, she was sent to a small real hospital down the road where she is now. This was only to take blood and check vital signs, medication, etc. She immediately fell asleep, something she hadnt done in three days. That is a relief on all of our parts. She may still be sleeping now, however, my dad dropped me back off at home because I have school in the morning. Our goal is to get her by tonight or tomorrow into UCLAs psychiatric hospital, even though they may send her back to College Hospital tonight. We have to win this. I just want my mom back. Update: After a one month struggle, things are getting back to normal, my mom was moved to Coast Plaza Hospital where she was in the ICU for high CPK levels. Its a muscle enzyme that was 1,800 times what it should have been. She should have never been sent to a psychiatric ward in the first place and the original hospital should have checked her blood at least. Her kidneys were failing and her muscles deteriorating. She almost died. As she recovered in the hospital, slowly her physical issues made way for the mental ones. My mom was forgetful, and incredibly antsy. She could barely sit down for more than a couple minutes. Eventually, after spending a week trying to get my mom transfered (Coast Plaza wasnt releasing her), she was moved to UCIs Psychiatric Ward which is second only to UCLA in the greater Los Angeles area. After a week my mom had made enough progress to leave and is now at home, waiting for her medication doses to go down before going back to work. A happy ending for a traumatic experience.

KA

Kaitlyn Green

This psychiatric hospital is beyond nightmarish and has deeply traumatized me for life. I was admitted when I was 16 to the adolescent ward. Yes, I was pretty psychotic when I was admitted, but I am case book bipolar. I should have been diagnosed, treated, and discharged within a week, but I was in this hell hole for 52 days. I was HEAVILY drugged the entire time and was treated like an animal. The staff was unequipped and clueless with how to treat someone like me and were very cruel and unprofessional. I was put in solitary confinement multiple times and felt helpless and hopeless. The other kids in the hospital were admitted for psych-unrelated issues like runaways, drugs, or acting out. I was this naive sheltered white girl going through a psychotic break and it was so scary being around these other kids who had no idea what was wrong with me and therefore treated me like a pariah and taunted me. I rarely saw my psychiatrist, Dr. James Pratty. He was and still is a horrific doctor. He barely communicated to my parents and threatened to start electro shock therapy to clear my psychosis. My mom was terrified and after getting advice from a friend, she threatened to transfer me to UCLA Harbor Hospital and stated she had "no faith" in Dr. Pratty. Magically, I was released one day after she uttered that to Dr. Pratty. They never officially diagnosed me even though I was released. I was still in a manic state and didnt clear until 2 months later after trying several medications. After this whole ordeal was over, my family and I agreed that I was possibly in Cerritos College Hospital for so long to suck our insurance money dry. THIS HOSPITAL IS ABHORRENT. PLEASE DO NOT ADMIT ANYONE HERE. St. Josephs hospital in Orange is amazing. They are professional and kind. DO NOT GO TO CERRITOS COLLEGE HOSPITAL. EVER.

JO

Jonathan Esquivel

Almost lost my mind, Tustin police officer arrived just on time and help me out n ask if I need help n referred me to facility like this one. After not jumping over a bridge on to a freeway, i choose college hospital cause I use 2 work at the Costa Mesa location, they sent me to cerritos n hide me from what my mind was telling me. They help me n gave the right medication at time of treatment. Felt lonly n lost my close family members, i meet great people who had similar problems, it worked so good at time of being their, great staff, but they left me 2 decide when I wanted 2 leave n that was the stupidest decision for letting me choose, i left n relapse quick, i stop for week in half n lost so much felt used and at the end, I was abandoned getting lied 2, O.c sheriff surprised me with getting evicted n leaving stuff behind. Lost myself for the biggest decision of my life, i moved states and used what this hospital has shown me, n wish I was in california, cause my doctor at this facility told me 2 go bak when I relapse again. I recommend this facility n tell a lil bit of my story for those with similar problem. Would go back anytime I feel like i felt before, lets just say I thank them for all the support n help 2 never think of committing suicide, n will never go through my thoughts cause God loves us n shows us to see life beautiful.