Beyond Blues: 8 Reasons To Consider Inpatient Mental Health Treatment

One’s journey towards overcoming mental health issues may require different types of treatment. Depending on the type of illness a person has, the treatment can include medication, therapy, and group counseling.

However, in some cases, the patient may need to be admitted to a mental health facility for a specific period of time. Inpatient treatment is often needed for patients who are unable to follow a mental health treatment program on their own.

In addition, it’s designed for patients who need daily supervision, intensive care, or specialized mental health treatment. Since mental illnesses can pose serious risks for both the patients and the people they interact with, some doctors recommend admission to a medical facility as an integral part of treatment.

Meanwhile, many facilities specialize in providing mental health care for different illnesses. For instance, a patient can do a quick online search using keywords such as ‘best mental health clinic near me’ in order to find treatment options in a particular location. This makes it easier to look for a mental health facility that would suit one’s needs and preferences.

Here Are Other Critical Considerations For Receiving Inpatient Mental Health Treatment:

1. To Receive Intervention And Treatment For Substance Misuse

Drug and alcohol misuse can pose serious harm to a patient if not addressed immediately. However, the road to recovery may become too challenging if a person struggles with mental illness. Without intervention, treatment, and support, a patient’s mental condition may worsen as their physical health deteriorates.

On the other hand, suffering from mental health disorders and substance misuse can be a vicious cycle that’s difficult to break. Some patients develop mental disorders due to drug or alcohol addiction, while others use harmful substances to cope with a mental illness.

However, in extreme cases, this scenario can be fatal if the patient doesn’t receive the help they need. Therefore, the patient should get medical attention right away and consider inpatient mental health treatment for the long term. This way, both issues can be addressed with guidance from professionals.

Furthermore, any medical issues associated with substance addiction, such as drug overdose, severe dehydration, malnourishment, or withdrawal symptoms, can be considered health emergencies that can put a patient’s life in danger. Hence, the patient needs to be admitted to a mental health facility without delay.

2. To Unlearn Compulsive And Dangerous Habits

Mental health disorders can weaken a person’s inhibition and mood regulation capabilities. Without these protective subconscious mechanisms, a person becomes more susceptible to developing risky habits that can put one’s life and health in grave danger.

Here are some examples of dangerous habits that people suffering from mental illnesses may succumb to:

• Compulsive gambling
• Excessive spending
• Risky sexual behavior
• Unhealthy eating patterns
• Aggressive or violent behavior towards others

Once patients display harmful behavior towards themselves or others, doctors usually recommend in-house psychiatric care to break the behavioral pattern and remove them from an environment that supports vices or unhealthy habits.

This can be considered a crucial step to help break the cycle of compulsive behavior and pave the way toward a healthier lifestyle.

Moreover, a patient that starts to show signs of aggression or threatens others with physical harm should be isolated immediately and given urgent treatment and intervention. This is a vital step that can potentially save lives or prevent danger.

Related Resource: 6 Lifestyle Changes for Mental Health

3. To Subdue Suicidal Thoughts And Tendencies

In extreme cases, having an unhealthy emotional state can trigger suicidal thoughts and tendencies. As suicidal behavior puts the patient’s life in imminent danger, it’s crucial to take immediate action and get urgent medical assistance.

Mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anorexia nervosa, and clinical depression commonly bring about a depressive mood and mindset.

Some patients may resort to inflicting bodily harm on themselves, leading to life-threatening injury or fatality if not urgently addressed.

Here are some warning signs of suicidal behavior:

• Display of extreme emotional reactions, such as sadness, moodiness, and rage
• Radical changes in personality and appearance
• Sleeping problems
• Withdrawal of self-isolation
• Expressing hopelessness or suicidal thoughts
• Engaging in harmful or risky behavior, such as reckless driving, substance misuse, or physical aggression

Mental health facilities can provide 24-hour supervision and treatment to ensure that the patient is protected and cared for until life-threatening behavior is under control.

4. To Aid Recovery From Traumatic Events

Recovering from trauma is a complex process that requires continued medication, therapy, counseling, and other forms of treatment. To help them stay on course, staying in an inpatient facility for a fixed term can be significantly helpful.

Most patients develop mental disorders due to experiencing traumatic or life-threatening events such as:

• Rape and other forms of sexual violence
• Physical, emotional, and mental abuse
• Tragic events such as natural disasters and accidents
• The loss of a family member or a loved one

However, patients may struggle to find the strength, will, and motivation to stay on track with their treatment program because of the emotional damage brought about by their negative experiences.

Furthermore, some forms of trauma can be debilitating to the extent that they impact one’s ability to care for themselves or provide for their basic needs. In such cases, inpatient care is ideal to ensure that the person receives proper medical assistance and support in their daily activities.

5. To Avoid Self-Isolation

Patients suffering from mental disorders struggle to withdraw from social interactions for various reasons. Some may feel overwhelmed in the presence of people, while others avoid social situations that trigger unpleasant memories and negative emotions.

However, withdrawing from social interactions can be detrimental to recovery, as patients suffer from a lack of emotional and social support.

Social interaction is an integral part of the recovery process as it contributes to a person’s mental and emotional well-being. Hence, many doctors recommend group therapy to encourage patients to open up to others and allow self-expression.

However, if a patient decides to receive inpatient medical care, they’ll also have access to a reliable support system that they can interact with daily. This environment will help them feel more stable and secure around others, fostering healing and recovery.

6. To Receive Assistance For Daily Living Needs

One of the challenges mental health patients face is caring for their daily needs. Many suffer from a lack of energy and motivation, which leads to self-neglect.

As a result, patients may develop poor eating and sleeping habits or forego basic hygiene practices. All these things can be detrimental to a person’s health and even worsen their mental state.

Therefore, for patients who struggle to provide care for themselves, receiving treatment from an inpatient care facility may be ideal. In these facilities, patients are served meals that provide adequate nutrition depending on their health status.

In addition, professionally-trained medical personnel is also assigned to assist patients in observing proper hygiene when needed. These services will make it easier for patients to stay on track with their treatment and recovery process.

7. To Receive Continued Medical Treatment For Underlying Conditions

Recovering from a mental illness can become more challenging if the patient has other health problems that need to be addressed. However, many patients struggle with this problem, as some may develop physical ailments associated with their mental disorders.

For instance, patients battling alcoholism are prone to developing chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart and liver diseases, and some forms of cancer.

With outpatient care, the patient will be required to go back and forth to the treatment facility to attend group counseling, therapy sessions, checkups, and laboratory tests.

However, this isn’t easy or convenient especially if the patient has limited mobility or is suffering from serious illnesses that cause them to lose strength.

In such cases, it’s best to opt for inpatient treatment programs to make it easier for the patient to receive treatment accordingly. It will also lessen the risk of injury or complications as the patient will receive constant care and aid when needed.

8. To Obtain Social And Emotional Support

Apart from medical treatment, it’s also essential for patients to receive social and emotional support while recovering from mental illnesses.

However, some may find it challenging to obtain adequate support while living in their current environment. Hence, moving to an inpatient facility would be a good option.

This way, the patient can consult with medical professionals, interact with other patients, and participate in activities that support their recovery.

Conclusion

Inpatient mental health treatment facilities are designed to foster healing and recovery for patients with mental health disorders.

These facilities help patients receive continued care based on their doctor’s recommendations while allowing them to regain wellness in a healthy and supportive environment.

In addition, mental health facilities are also created to provide protection and assistance for those who are unable to live and receive treatment independently due to mental illness.

While the patients may be temporarily placed in a controlled environment, the goal is to develop healthier habits and learn improved coping skills that would help them live a better life after hospitalization.

If you think that you or your loved one will benefit from inpatient mental health care and treatment, talk to your doctor to know your options and what would suit you best.

It’s essential to coordinate your treatment plan with a licensed health professional to ensure that you receive proper therapy and get recommendations if needed.

Read Also:

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