Inpatient Mental Health Treatment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Behavioral health plays a massive role in an individual’s well-being. Everything we do at Destination Hope is focused on restoring that well-being where it is lost. Sometimes inpatient mental health treatment is the best course of action to restore balance or bring peace of mind. A residential mental health setting can accomplish things which are difficult, if not impossible with outpatient mental health treatment. It doesn’t necessarily take a psychiatric crisis to make inpatient mental health treatment a viable choice.
People who have hit a plateau in their progress with weekly or monthly outpatient therapy or find their medications are no longer helping the way they once did can also benefit. Residential mental health treatment can foster insight and genuine breakthroughs. It can smash through obstacle to progress and get to the root of deep-seated trauma. The quality of your mental health can affect how you think, feel and behave. This is why it’s equally important to take care of your mind as it is your body.
Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. Anyone can experience a severe mental health episode, regardless of their mental health history or current circumstances. What is most important is that you or the person you love gets the help they need if they are experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder. It’s quite possible to lead a happy, healthy and productive life with mental illness. Often all it takes proper diagnosis, targeted treatment and a willing client who will participate in their own treatment and take steps to help themselves.
Who Is Mental Health Treatment For?
Some mental health conditions are more likely to require inpatient treatment than others. If you have one of the following mental health disorders, you’ll likely need inpatient treatment:
- Mood disorders (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder)
- Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder)
- Substance use disorders (substance-induced psychosis or depression)
These conditions are more likely to require inpatient care because the associated symptoms put you at the most significant risk.
How To Tell If You Need Inpatient Mental Health Treatment
It’s vital to note that your symptoms determine if you need hospitalization or an inpatient program, not your diagnosis or condition.
Some common reasons someone may need to seek mental health treatment include:
- Manic episodes
- Severe depression
- Self-harming behaviors
- Suicidal thoughts, intent, or planning
- Altered mental states
- Delirium
- Psychosis (delusions and hallucinations)
- Escalating reckless or impulsive behaviors
In some cases, transient severe mental health episodes may be caused by something other than a chronic mental health condition. Other potential causes may include:
- Reactions to prescription medications
- Complications of a medical condition
- Extreme physical stress
- Head trauma
- Substance abuse
Inpatient Mental Health Treatment Length
The length of inpatient mental health treatment depends on the individual. Depending on the severity of your condition, inpatient programs may last from a week up to a month, if needed.
The length of your inpatient mental health care will vary depending on if it is an intensive short-term (acute) program or an extend-care program.
What’s Inpatient Mental Health Treatment Like?
Your first step during inpatient treatment is your initial evaluation. At this point, the clinical staff will evaluate your mental health history and substance abuse history.
This will help your clinical care team learn about you, your specific condition, and if you require any psychiatric medications. Your clinicians may also recommend you start taking medication long-term, or they may only think it’s necessary on a short-term basis until you’re stabilized.
It’s also possible they won’t recommend medication at all. It depends on your condition, preferences, and history.
Other activities that you may participate in during inpatient treatment include:
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Individual therapy
- Therapeutic activities
Group therapy: Group sessions aim to help you understand your symptoms and learn the best way to manage them. These sessions are also a way to help you and others to feel seen and understood. This can help you accept your condition and start to heal.
Family therapy: Family sessions help address potential triggers within your family unit. The goal here is that your family and close loved ones will be your support once you leave your treatment program.
Individual therapy: individual sessions in an inpatient unit help you to discover the root of your mental health crisis. These sessions can help you gain important insights into what happened and how you can best recover. They will also help your clinical team develop an effective discharge plan and identify your goals for continued treatment.
Therapeutic activities: Activities like art, exercise, yoga, and others are designed to help you feel calm and grounded. Your nervous system can become overwhelmed. Soothing activities can assist you in healing your nerves and regaining your ability to focus on the present.
What Happens After You Leave Inpatient Treatment?
While some people may only require short-term residential treatment to resolve their mental health crisis, it’s more common for someone to need ongoing outpatient care after leaving the hospital or recovery center.
If you have any potential co-occurring disorders (like medical or substance use disorders), you will receive a referral to additional treatment programs to help you address them. Depending on your circumstances, your medical team can recommend further treatments. They might encourage you to participate in support groups or follow a nutrition or exercise plan.
Inpatient Treatment at Destination Hope
Destination Hope provides a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for mental health care. Our program works to address your unique circumstances and disorders. The experienced clinical team will work with you throughout your mental health crisis and beyond.
If you or a loved one needs assistance with a mental illness, don’t hesitate to reach out to us online or by calling (877) 650-6414.
Sources:
Mental Health America (MHA) – In Patient Care
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Treatments
