A psychiatric hospital can be a scary place. Inpatient facilities have strict rules and regulations to keep patients safe. They may isolate or restrain people if necessary.
However, inpatient hospitals can also be helpful. People often feel less alone and more hopeful when they are around others who are struggling with similar issues.
What is a Psychiatric Hospital?
A psychiatric hospital is a specialized medical facility that treats people who have severe mental disorders. They treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders. Some hospitals also offer treatment for substance use and suicidal behavior.
People who enter a psychiatric hospital may do so voluntarily or involuntarily. Involuntary admission can occur if a doctor believes that someone is a danger to themselves or others. This process is known as a 5150 in California, though it has different names in other states.
When people hear the term psychiatric hospital, they usually think of a locked mental health facility that is kept very clean and has restricted entry and exits. However, many modern psychiatric hospitals are open and don’t look anything like the lunatic asylums of the past. These facilities are sometimes called mental health centers or residential treatment centers. They can be private or state-licensed. They can offer short-term care or long-term care.
Benefits of a Psychiatric Hospital
A psychiatric hospital offers a controlled environment where you are safe to focus on your mental health. The goal is to get you back to a state of wellness, and the staff will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan that will be implemented during your stay at the hospital.
Many people are involuntarily admitted to psych wards when they are experiencing a mental health crisis like suicidal thoughts or episodes of severe depression that have led to attempts at suicide. Others are voluntarily admitted to the facility. Regardless of how you got to the psychiatric hospital, once you are there, you will have access to inpatient treatment that includes psychiatric assessments and medications.
When you arrive at the psychiatric hospital, you will be greeted by a staff member who will take some admission details and show you to your room. You will probably have a private room, but it may be shared with another patient depending on the facility.
Types of Psychiatric Hospitals
There are different types of psychiatric hospitals. Psychiatric hospitals can be specialized to provide treatment for specific mental health conditions, such as eating disorders. They can also be a part of a large medical hospital that offers psychiatric services in addition to other types of care, like general medicine or surgery.
Depending on the type of psychiatric hospital, some will have a sterile, barren environment. Others are more modern and feature private rooms for clients. The client’s room may be small, but it will have a shower and access to laundry facilities. The client will also be given a bed and will have access to food. They will also have meetings with their psychiatrist and other members of their treatment team.
A psychiatric hospital will usually be monitored by staff around the clock. This is to ensure that the client doesn’t harm themselves or others, and to prevent others from hurting them. People who are involuntarily committed will remain in the psychiatric hospital until they can go to a community-based halfway house, if their doctor agrees it is safe to do so.
Differences Between Psychiatric Hospitals
A psychiatric hospital is usually an institution that includes a mental health ward. It’s a place that focuses on treating mental illness and provides 24-hour observation and care from a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed therapists, nurses, nurse practitioners, certified nurse assistants and social workers.
Psychiatric hospitals also tend to prioritize immediate crisis intervention and stabilization. They may offer short-term stays that last a few days to a few weeks and they often refer people for extended treatment at other facilities.
A typical psychiatric hospital may include private rooms with locked doors, a daily schedule of meals and recreational indoor and outdoor activities, visiting hours, group therapy and a set bedtime. The length of time a client spends in the hospital will depend on what prompted them to seek help, how they respond and whether they are a danger to themselves or others. If they came in involuntarily, the process will usually take longer.
