What to Expect at a Long Term Inpatient Mental Health Facility

long term inpatient mental health

Getting Effective Help for Mental Health in Arizona

Battling mental health issues like depression or bipolar disorder is exhausting. Making the decision to seek mental health care can begin a path to a better life.

Whether you have mental health struggles, substance abuse issues, or both, you may need in-depth treatment in an inpatient facility. This can help you get the focused care you need to get back on track and live the life you deserve.

If you’re wondering what a long term inpatient mental health facilty care looks like, we have the answers.

Here’s a guide to what you can expect at an inpatient mental health facility!

What Is Long-Term Inpatient Mental Health Treatment?

Inpatient treatment for mental health issues provides the complex care you need in one setting. Medical staff, mental health professionals, and support staff work together to provide individualized care.

You may need inpatient treatment if you’ve tried other treatment options without success. If you’re considering suicide, long-term inpatient mental health care is a good option.

You may need inpatient treatment if you have overdosed, experienced a break from reality, or suffered another mental health crisis.

Inpatient care is helpful for people with a variety of mental health issues. These include:

  • Severe anxiety
  • PTSD and Trauma
  • Depression
  • Eating disorders
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Personality disorders
  • Substance abuse
  • Co-occurring mental health issues and substance use disorders

With inpatient treatment, you receive intensive support, guidance, and supervision. If you experience a mental health crisis, you may need a short-term inpatient stay or more long-term care.

Inpatient treatment is one of the highest levels of care available for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Following inpatient treatment, patients typically get a referral for further care such as partial hospitalization or outpatient services.

Residential Treatment Centers

Although overnight hospitalization offers high-level care, it’s typically a short-term solution. You may stay in the hospital for a week or two and still need further inpatient care.

A residential treatment center offers long-term mental health care with medical professionals, mental health professionals, and support staff to help you 24/7. Unlike a hospital setting, residential treatment offers a more home-like environment.

Many patients get referrals to a residential treatment center during their inpatient hospitalization stay. This allows continued treatment and support for mental health struggles, addiction, and the most effective approach for treating dually diagnosed clients as well.

Psychiatric hospitals may also refer you to partial hospitalization (PHP) or intensive outpatient (IOP) programs.

When Should You Get Inpatient Mental Health Treatment?

If you’re suffering from a mental health crisis and aren’t stable enough to recover without intensive treatment, you should consider inpatient care. If you’ve tried reaching out for help without success, a long term inpatient mental health facility may be the next best step.

If you have a loved one who is in the depths of a mental health crisis, inpatient care may be the answer. It’s a viable option for someone who’s out of touch with reality, a danger to themselves or others, or cannot make decisions about their own care.

Inpatient mental health programs can be helpful for:

  • Suicide ideation or attempts
  • Self-harm
  • Overwhelming distressing thoughts
  • Major depression
  • Drug or alcohol overdose
  • Law enforcement solutions for mental health issues
  • Hallucinations or delusions
  • Danger to self or others
  • Mental crisis or breakdown
  • Psychiatric medication change

If you or a loved one is engaging in dangerous behavior, struggling with drug abuse, or suffering with a mental health disorder, inpatient care could be the next best step.

If you’re not in a crisis but can’t seem to function mentally or emotionally, inpatient care can be an option. If you’re severely depressed, struggle to get out of bed or get through the day, or need a psychiatric medication adjustment, inpatient mental health care offers a safe place to begin recovery.

Inpatient treatment is the best and safest choice if you’re suffering from a mental breakdown and cannot cope with the daily demands of life.

There is no shame in seeking help for mental health issues. There is hope for better days, a healthier life, and a full recovery.

What Is a Mental Breakdown? 

Mental breakdown is a term that refers to a struggle with mental health. This can include a broad range of symptoms. When mental health issues interfere with your ability to work, attend school, or simply function in your daily life, it could be due to a mental breakdown.

You may feel like things are hopeless or your life is spinning out of control. You may notice your loved one is overwhelmed or “not themselves.”

Some warning signs of a mental breakdown or emotional distress include:

  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Withdrawal from work, relationships, or daily activities
  • Unexpected weight gain or weight loss
  • Low energy
  • Constant sense of worry, guilt, or doubt
  • Unexplained pain, like stomach aches or headaches
  • Alcohol or drug use
  • Difficulty coping with life changes
  • Feeling hopeless or helpless
  • Prescription drug misuse
  • Threatening behavior
  • Suicidal thoughts, actions, or behavior

Young adults and teenagers may display the following signs of mental breakdown:

  • Aggressive behavior
  • Problems at school with conduct, grades, or attendance
  • Isolation
  • Risky behaviors like promiscuity, drug or alcohol use, or driving recklessly
  • Self-harm or cutting

Hearing voices or seeing or believing things that aren’t real or true is a warning sign of mental health problems. If you’re experiencing any of these things, you should seek treatment.

In some cases, mental health issues are an underlying sign of a medical issue. Talk to your doctor about what you’re experiencing. Your doctor can provide guidance and a referral for mental health services if needed.

How Do You Get Inpatient Mental Health Treatment?

You can begin inpatient treatment for mental health care after getting a referral from your doctor, a mental health professional, or through involuntary commitment.

Inpatient care often follows a mental health breakdown or crisis. A concerned family member may have their loved one involuntarily committed or law enforcement may intervene if someone is a threat to themselves or others. 

If law enforcement is involved, you may not have a choice about inpatient care. Often, patients need to detox or adjust to new or changed psychiatric medications.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and struggling with your mental health or an addiction, it’s best to seek help now before experiencing a mental breakdown or crisis.

Long-Term Mental Health Care Benefits

Everyone who enters inpatient mental health treatment is different. Even two people with the same diagnosis will need unique, individualized care.

The best treatment centers offer:

  • Individual and group counseling
  • Education on negative choices and positive values
  • Education about mending damaged relationships
  • Access to healthy activities and ways to live a healthier lifestyle
  • Safe environment with a focus on restoring wellbeing

The time a resident needs to stay in long-term inpatient treatment varies. The goal is to immerse patients in the healing experience.

Treatment should be holistic and involve residents in interactive learning with a focus on the skills and strategies they need after treatment ends. Playing an active role in your own healing is empowering.

This gives you the determination and self-confidence to move beyond the limiting symptoms of your mental health condition. 

Helping Patients Transition

A quality long-term residential mental health center offers resources to help patients transition back to their lives at home. After experiencing a mental health crisis, transitioning to life as it was is daunting.

Counseling extends beyond their stay to help the individual avoid having to return for treatment. Ongoing support should be individualized to ensure the person’s needs are met.

Learning to navigate life after long-term treatment is critical for maintaining balance in life. Having a plan in place to re-enter the workforce, re-establish personal relationships, and stay healthy is key for a successful transition.

Questions to Ask Mental Health Rehabs

If you’re considering inpatient mental health care for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to make sure you get the best care possible. Some questions to ask include:

  • What mental health conditions do they treat? 
  • Do they offer treatment for a duel diagnosis?
  • What is the typical length of stay?
  • What are the inpatient treatment options?
  • What types of professionals will treat you?
  • Will family members be involved in my treatment plan?
  • What amenities do you provide?
  • What happens when inpatient treatment ends?

You can ask about additional services, such as:

  • Recreation therapy
  • Medication management
  • Social skills training
  • Support for family and loved ones
  • Vocational or academic assistance

You should expect a variety of mental health services during an inpatient stay. Quality treatment centers offer evidence-based practices, individualized therapies, and peer support.

Finding the Right Inpatient Mental Health Care

The best long-term inpatient mental health treatment focuses on your health and wellness. It’s about living your best life without resorting to alcohol, drugs, or other destructive behaviors to cope.

Inpatient treatment for mental health issues varies in length depending on your individual treatment needs. If you’re struggling with your mental health or a co-occurring substance abuse problem, inpatient care may be the first step to a happier, more fulfilling life ahead.

At Purpose Healing Center, we believe that everyone’s recovery journey is unique. Our caring and compassionate staff use evidence-based therapies to help you take back control of your life.

To learn more about what the Purpose Healing Center can offer you or your loved one, contact us today.