If you’ve been struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, or any mental health disorder, you may have wondered about inpatient treatment. You might love the idea of putting all your focus on your mental health, but be worried about the realities of committing yourself to the “psych ward.” You’re worried that a restrictive budget or limited insurance coverage might turn your Canyon Ranch fantasy into a One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest nightmare.
Well worry no more, because inpatient mental health centers are nothing like the horror shows you see in movies. The vibe is way more “college dorm” and a lot less “old-timey hospital” than you might be imagining. Read on to learn more about what it’s actually like to experience an inpatient mental health stay. Then decide if getting this kind of treatment could be the right choice for your recovery journey.
Sleeping Quarters
Many people worry that inpatient treatment for substance abuse or mental health issues will feel like visiting the psych ward in an old movie. They imagine rusty metal bed frames, long, fluorescent-lit hallways, men in white coats, and bars on all the windows. That couldn’t be farther from the truth, however, in most modern facilities, which look much more like modest hotel rooms than Shutter Island.
You can’t expect luxury, of course, unless you’ve booked at a high end facility for the rich and famous. That said, you can likely look forward to a comfy twin bed and a quiet place to relax and chat with your roommate, if you have one. You may notice small, unusual details in your room and bathroom, like ligature-resistant fixtures, specialized beddings, and temperature-controlled faucets. These details are designed to keep you and others safe from potential self-harm.
Meals
Most inpatient mental health facilities serve three square meals a day, communally, as well as a variety of snacks and (alcohol-free) beverages. Some facilities provide free snacks at set times, or throughout the day, while others only have vending machines. In the U.S., lunch and dinner are served around typical meal times, though dinner might be served as early as 5 p.m. Many patients find they like the routine, structure, and socialization time these group meals provide.
Food quality can vary, though the best mental health centers make an effort to offer nutritious, balanced meals. There will, of course, be accommodations for allergies, religious observance, vegans and vegetarian diets, and other dietary restrictions. Numerous research studies have shown that a well-balanced diet supports mental health, sleep quality, and overall wellness. Diet can play a role in managing symptoms and even lead to remission in conditions like depression.
Medications
Depending on your condition and plan of care, you may be given one or more medications to help manage your symptoms. These medications could include antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, beta-blockers, stimulants, and/or tranquilizers. You’ll receive each dose of your medication right when you’re supposed to take it. In many cases, staff will keep an eye on you to make sure you actually take — and don’t store or discard — your meds.
Depending which U.S. state you’re in, an inpatient mental health center may require you to take a specific medication as a condition of your stay. In some states and facilities, you may have the right to refuse medication, but doing so could extend your stay. If you experience unpleasant side effects from your medication, it’s best to speak with your treatment providers and explore other options together. Stopping some psych meds can be dangerous, so never try to do it on your own.
Activities and Group Support
Most inpatient care centers have a very full schedule of group therapy, meals, and other activities. In group therapy, you’ll meet with other patients and a practitioner to understand mental health conditions or learn behavioral skills. Group therapy sessions might include sharing about feelings or learning from an instructor about specific mental health conditions. They might include filling out worksheets or doing certain exercises to help manage symptoms.
Outside of group therapy, there are often many group activities to minimize unstructured or solitary time. In general, periods of unstructured time are short and carefully monitored, to protect patients’ safety. Unstructured time can lead to rumination — repetitive, negative thoughts that can be destructive to mental health or lead to unwanted behaviors. Instead, you’ll participate in lots of group activities, like exercise, art, games, yoga, or educational programs.
Individual Therapy
In addition to group therapy time, you’ll most likely be assigned a therapist that you meet with regularly one-on-one. This person might or might not be the same person responsible for prescribing your medication. In your first few sessions, you’ll work together with your therapist to assess your condition and develop a treatment plan. In later sessions, you’ll have time to talk about your feelings and get emotional support for any problems you’re experiencing.
Your therapist might use a talk-based approach to therapy, where sessions consist mostly of discussing your feelings and identifying patterns. Or, they might take a skills-based approach and teach you specific tips and tricks for managing difficult emotions. Your therapist also might use a combination of multiple different therapy modalities in your sessions. Some common therapy modalities in inpatient treatment include dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Safety in Numbers
At the end of the day, inpatient mental health treatment isn’t much different from spending your days at work or school. It’s not a scary prison; it’s a place where you take classes, attend meetings, eat meals with new friends, and do engaging activities. You don’t have to cook, clean, go to work, or plan your days — all you have to do is focus on getting better. It’s a chance to really focus deeply on yourself and take those first steps toward truly getting better.
