Inpatient mental health treatment is a type of care meant for people with mental health issues. It’s typically provided in a hospital or residential facility – another term for this type of care is “residential treatment.”
The patient stays at the facility full-time, receiving intensive treatment such as therapy, medication management, or other forms of care. This level of care is typically for someone experiencing a mental health crisis – suicidal thoughts, severe depression, psychosis, and other conditions fall under this category.
What Does Inpatient Mental Health Treatment Help With?
Inpatient mental health treatment helps with a variety of severe or acute mental issues.
Below are some of the most common issues it’s meant to treat:
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) – Consistently low mood, seemingly independent of life circumstances
- Bipolar Disorder – A mood disorder marked by extreme swings between mania and depression
- Schizophrenia – A psychotic disorder involving distorted thinking, delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized behavior
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – Chronic, excessive worry across various aspects of life, accompanied by physical symptoms like restlessness and tension
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – A disorder that develops after experiencing a traumatic event, leading to flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety. It’s one of the most common disorders seen in inpatient mental health treatment.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) driven by anxiety
- Personality Disorders – Long-term patterns of behavior and subjective feelings that deviate significantly from the norm. Examples include intense fear of abandonment or unstable relationships (borderline personality disorder).
- Substance Use Disorders – The misuse of alcohol or drugs, leading to addiction and significant negative life consequences (legal issues, job loss, homelessness, etc)
- Panic Disorder – A type of anxiety disorder wherein a person experiences recurring panic attacks, as well as intense periods of fear or discomfort
All of these disorders are commonly addressed in inpatient mental health treatment.
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Call 866-881-1184Who Offers Inpatient Treatment for Mental Health?
Inpatient treatment is typically offered by a variety of professionals and facilities that specialize in mental health care. These include psychiatric hospitals, specialized mental health units within general hospitals, residential treatment centers, and certain rehabilitation centers that focus on co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
Where you live is an important factor in getting treatment. For those looking for inpatient mental health treatment in California, South Coast Behavioral Health is a good option. This is especially the case for those dealing with trauma. South Coast Behavioral Health offers comprehensive therapy for trauma, including trauma-focused CBT and EMDR for trauma.
What Is a Mental Health Therapist?
A mental health therapist is someone who provides treatment for people dealing with psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues. They provide various forms of therapy,such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help individuals develop coping strategies, improve mental well-being, and achieve personal growth. Depending on their exact title and license, they may prescribe medication as well.
Inpatient mental health treatment specialists may have different titles depending on their level of education and specialization, such as:
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs)
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)
- Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists (medical doctors who can prescribe medication)
Their work settings can range from private practices and hospitals to schools, clinics, or community organizations.
What Happens During Inpatient Mental Health Treatment?
If you happen to check into a residential mental health facility, you can expect several things to take place. First, you’ll go through a comprehensive assessment of your physical and mental health. Any dual-diagnosis addiction issues will be noted and taken into account when forming your treatment plan. Once that’s completed, you’ll receive 24/7 monitoring by a team of specialists who will provide you with support as needed.
Key elements of inpatient mental health treatment include individual and group therapy sessions, medication management, and crisis intervention to help stabilize acute symptoms. The environment is designed to be safe and therapeutic, providing a break from external stressors while patients focus on healing. You may also learn coping strategies, stress management, and valuable life skills to prepare for returning to daily life after treatment.
24/7 Care and Support for Mental Health
As mentioned before, checking into an inpatient mental health facility will entail around-the-clock support and supervision. This is done to ensure your safety and address any pressing or acute mental health concerns.
The primary goals of 24/7 care are to:
- Stabilize the individual’s mental state
- Manage symptoms (ex, suicidal thoughts, depression, etc.)
- Provide emotional support
- Monitor treatment progress
Therapeutic interventions, medication management, and daily assessments are integral to inpatient mental health treatment.
Psychotherapy for Mental Health
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a core component of residential treatment. It involves the patient working with a therapist to explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to their mental health issue. The idea is that by altering negative thought patterns or behavior, a person can improve their mental health and eventually leave inpatient mental health treatment and return to society.
Talk therapy can be delivered in various formats, including individual, group, or family sessions, and may incorporate different therapeutic approaches.
These include:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Problem-Solving Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Adventure Therapy
- Expressive Arts Therapy
- Trauma Therapy
Therapy often takes different approaches because each person is different. Over time, it promotes self-awareness, emotional regulation, and personal growth.
Medication Management for Mental Health
Medication management consists of professional oversight over medications used in inpatient mental health treatment. It’s important to understand what each medication does, its potential side effects, and how it interacts with other medications or substances. Professionals are there to ensure medications are used safely, with minimal chance of side effects or interactions.
They’re also there to ensure medication adherence. Medications need to be taken exactly as prescribed to work. Skipping doses or abusing the medications can undermine treatment or even make things worse.
Holistic Mental Health Treatment
Holistic treatment is the idea of treating the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. It incorporates traditional mental health treatments with complementary and alternative therapies.
Here are some key elements:
- Community: Having strong social ties is crucial for morale while going through inpatient mental health treatment.
- Nutrition and Diet: The brain relies on proper nutrients to be at its best. Stick primarily to whole food. Processed foods, excess sugar, and alcohol should be limited if not avoided entirely.
- Exercise: A healthy body is a healthy mind. Physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise like walking or running, helps reduce “feel-good” brain chemicals like endorphins and serotonin, improving mood and reducing anxiety. A good inpatient mental health treatment program will include this in its holistic offerings.
- Sleep: Getting good sleep is one of the easiest mental health “hacks.” Poor sleep can exacerbate mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Developing healthy sleep habits and routines, such as limiting the use of your phone before bed and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, is essential.
- Creative Pursuits: Art therapy, music therapy, and psychodrama can be powerful tools for processing emotions, reducing stress, and exploring thoughts in a non-verbal way.
Holistic treatment is personalized and should be integrated with guidance from professionals. Balancing traditional treatments (like medication and therapy) with holistic practices can often provide for more balanced inpatient mental health treatment.
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Check Your CoverageWhat Are the Benefits of Residential Mental Health Treatment?
Residential treatment for inpatient mental health delivers a whole range of benefits. As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest advantages is 24/7 care and support. Withdrawal can be gut-wrenching, terrifying, and sometimes deadly when not done properly. With residential care, professionals are always available to help when you need it.
The structured environment in a residential facility also helps create stability. There is a regular schedule for therapy, group activities, and personal time. Knowing when everything is going to happen and not having to decide on or remember to do each activity reduces “decision fatigue,” making it easier to focus on your recovery.
Living in a residential facility also removes individuals from their usual environment, which might include triggers that worsen their mental health. Being away from these stressors gives them a chance to focus solely on getting better.
In a residential program, individuals can also build strong peer support. They live with others who are going through similar struggles, which can reduce feelings of loneliness. Group therapy sessions and shared living spaces provide opportunities for bonding and mutual understanding.
Inpatient vs Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
Inpatient and outpatient mental health treatments are both important options for people dealing with mental health issues, but they differ in several key ways.
Residential mental health treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for a period of time. This type of treatment is typically recommended for individuals with severe mental health issues or those in crisis.
Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, allows individuals to live at home while attending therapy sessions or programs at a treatment center. This option is usually for people with less severe mental health issues or those who are stable enough to live independently while continuing their care. Rather than daily therapy sessions, patients will usually attend one to three sessions per week and go home at the end of the day. It allows individuals to maintain their daily responsibilities, such as work or school while getting the help they need.
