What is Inpatient Treatment for Depression?
Inpatient treatment for depression is one of the highest levels of care available for mental health treatment. In an inpatient program, patients live at a medical facility 24 hours a day. They attend therapy and groups during the day and in the evening they sleep in accommodations which offer 24 hour medical support. Inpatient treatment for depression is necessary when a person’s symptoms become too severe to be managed through outpatient therapy or medications. It may also be needed if the person’s safety is at risk due to suicidal thoughts, behavior, or other mental health issues related to their depression.
Inpatient treatment can provide a safe place and stable environment while the individual receives more intensive care than they could on an outpatient basis. Treatment usually includes individual and group counseling, as well as medication management. It also provides time away from day-to-day stresses that can worsen depression symptoms and help them focus on healing without distraction. After finishing the program, follow-up care is essential to help prevent relapse and ensure that the person continues to improve. It’s important for someone considering inpatient treatment to find a program that meets their needs and provides compassionate, evidence-based care.
8 Signs That Inpatient Treatment for Depression May Be Needed
Sometimes it isn’t always immediately obvious what level of care is needed for a person’s depression. The best course of action is always to call a mental health treatment center to schedule an evaluation. An untrained person isn’t qualified to make a formal diagnosis or recommend a specific level of mental health care. That said, here are 8 signs that inpatient treatment for depression may be warranted for you or someone else struggling with depression.
- You have been struggling with suicidal thoughts — If you’re having thoughts of suicide or making concrete plans, inpatient care may help keep you safe until you can begin to manage these thoughts more effectively.
- You are suffering from extreme anxiety — Extreme anxiety can often accompany a major depressive episode. This can manifest as racing thoughts that interfere with your ability to concentrate and function normally. An inpatient program will provide a safe environment for you to work through these issues without fear of judgment or harm.
- You have difficulty completing regular activities — If your depression has made it difficult for you to complete everyday tasks, inpatient care can provide the structure and support needed to help you regain your sense of normalcy.
- You cannot find relief from traditional therapies —If traditional therapy or medications have not been alleviating your symptoms, an inpatient program may offer new treatments that could be more effective.
- You are unable to take care of yourself — Depression can make it incredibly hard to even perform basic self-care activities, such as eating regularly or showering. Inpatient treatment allows clinicians to monitor and ensure you are receiving adequate nutrition and hygiene while in their care.
- You experience serious physical symptoms — Severe depression often leads to physical symptoms such as chronic pain, digestive issues, or changes in appetite. Through inpatient care, these issues can be addressed and treated simultaneously with your mental health concerns.
- You are abusing substances — Substance abuse is often an attempt to self-medicate a condition such as depression or anxiety. An inpatient facility can help you break the cycle of addiction and provide access to resources for long-term recovery.
- You have been unable to make progress on your own — If you have been struggling with depression for weeks or months without making any progress towards recovery, inpatient care may provide the intensive environment needed to get back on track.
When Do I Ask For Help For Depression?
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, seeking professional help can be an important step towards recovery.The truth is it’s never too soon to ask for help, so it’s better to ask than wait. This is especially true when you need help for someone else. People with depression often don’t want to feel like a burden to others so they will conceal their symptoms or downplay them. Sometimes the depression you can see is only the tip of the iceberg. In order to avoid unnecessary suffering and avert possible tragedy, it’s always better to take action. At minimum, start a conversation with that person and let them know you are there to listen without judgment and help in any way you can.
If you are the person who is depressed, it’s important to push outside of your comfort zone when it comes to asking for help. Depression lies to us. We may have low self esteem that makes us believe others don’t care, or that we shouldn’t become a burden on other people. The truth is that the people around you want to help. The biggest burden you can place on people who care about you is actually NOT asking for help when you need it. The people who care about you may blame themselves for not seeing the signs that you were depressed and needed help. The best way to avoid all of that is to share your truth. Tell people how you feel. Tell them you want help.
Let’s Talk About Mental Health Treatment
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. It’s ok if you’re not sure where to start; many resources are available online that can provide advice on finding the best treatment options for your individual situation. There’s no single path to managing depression, so it’s important to explore different approaches until you find what works best for you. Emerald Coast JourneyPure wants to help. We are available 24/7. Please give us a call at 877-958-5354
