Contrary to the health checkups and admissions at a regular hospital, visiting a mental health care facility or a psychiatric institution can be nerve-wracking and scary. This is due to multiple reasons, for instance, the stigma attached to the old sanitariums and asylums and the uncertainty about what to expect at the visit. Moreover, a lot of people are never too sure when to seek help or the right cues for checking themselves in such facilities.
This article highlights the key reasons to be put in a mental hospital, important signs that warrant urgent assessment, and what to expect on arrival in such facilities.
Mentioned below are the most common reasons why people may consider visiting a mental hospital:
- Severe Depressive Episode
Depression is undoubtedly one of the most common psychiatric illnesses throughout the world. Characterized by sheer hopelessness and a constant feeling of overwhelming sadness, such people are at a high risk of having suicidal thoughts and are unable to carry on with daily activities to a dangerous extent.
- Nervous Breakdowns
A nervous breakdown is an acute episode of overwhelming emotions that disables the victim to get on with daily life. Such episodes are fueled by long-standing depression and anxiety and can prove to be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening if appropriate support is not provided.
- Severe Panic Attack
Panic attacks are typically harmless and easy to manage. However, recurrence of this problem can prove to be severely debilitating on a day-to-day basis. These attacks may make one desperate to find long-term relief for which a visit to a psychiatric facility might be required.
- Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is characterized by strong mood swings that alternate between extreme highs (known as mania) and extreme lows (known as depression). Severe mood episodes can impair functioning and increase some safety risks, but a bipolar diagnosis does not establish criminality or dangerousness; urgent needs should be assessed individually.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Abbreviated as PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder is a debilitating psychiatric illness triggered by a traumatic event in the past. It includes repetitive flashbacks of the triggering event followed by overwhelming feelings that can potentiate a mental health crisis.
- Hallucinations/Delusions
Hallucinations and delusions are terms used to indicate false sensory perceptions or beliefs that are far from reality; hence, not shared by others. These symptoms need prompt clinical assessment. Possible causes include psychiatric illness, physical illness, medications, substance use, or sleep deprivation; inpatient care is one option depending on safety and support needs.
- Homicidal Thoughts
Homicidal thoughts refer to an intent to harm or potentially kill another person. An intention or plan to harm someone requires immediate emergency help. Other distressing thoughts also need prompt professional assessment; clinicians determine the safest care setting.
Seeking help from a mental hospital or recommending it to a loved one going through a difficult time can be difficult to assess. Keep an eye out for the following signs you need to go to a mental hospital and act accordingly:
- You are a threat to others
If you or your loved one is going through a mental crisis and is threatening to harm others, seeking help from a psychiatric institution is highly recommended. The staff at these facilities are highly-trained to handle such patients with care and prevent them from harming themselves or others.
- You have suicidal thoughts
Suicidal tendencies refer to an urge to self-harm with an intent to end life. Seek urgent professional help for suicidal thoughts. If there is an immediate risk of acting on them, call local emergency services; clinicians assess whether hospital, crisis, or community care is safest.
- You are neglecting yourself
Multiple psychiatric illnesses, such as severe depression, can lead to self-neglect. In some cases, this self-neglect can extend to a point where you are putting your life at stake. If you’ve reached this point and are exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms, seek help from a mental hospital:
- Prolonged starvation
- Skipping work or school
- Withdrawal from regular medications
- Sleep disturbances (very little sleep or sleeping all day)
- Skipping showers and baths for days/weeks
- Withdrawal from social activities
- You are having a psychotic episode
A psychotic episode can disturb thoughts and perceptions and make it difficult to distinguish what is real; it requires prompt assessment but does not by itself mean a person is dangerous. The symptoms of a psychotic attack include:
- Hearing sounds or seeing people that aren’t there
- Worrying that someone is spying on you
- Fearing that someone has an intent to harm you
Seek urgent assessment for these symptoms. Care may be provided by early-psychosis, crisis, home-treatment, or inpatient services according to individual needs. Call local emergency services if there is immediate danger or a medical emergency.
If there is immediate danger, call local emergency services or go to an emergency department; do not delay for family calls or paperwork. Otherwise, contact your local mental health team or hospital for an assessment, with support from someone you trust if helpful.
If possible, it is always a good idea to call the mental hospital ahead of time and confirm their procedure of admission and rules. The appointed staff can also guide you better about what items to bring with you if you are required to stay.
Make sure to have the following information readily available as most mental hospitals require it as a part of the admission process:
- Name and contact number
- Contact information for the next of kin (family members or trustworthy friends)
- Any medical illnesses in the past
- A list of all medicines that you are currently taking
- Any food/drug allergies
- Insurance information
- Any particular health concerns in your mind
Clinical urgency should determine when assessment occurs; administrative steps must not delay emergency care. A clinician will assess you and discuss the appropriate treatment plan and setting.
Within a mental hospital or luxury rehab, a treatment plan is organized for you, tailored to your individual goals and needs. This is carried out after a detailed analysis by a psychiatrist in liaison with a nurse and a psychologist.
- Common treatments usually offered at most mental hospitals include:
- Prescribing/changing a medication
- Support sessions with psychologists
- Occupational therapy
- Access to gyms, art activities, and other leisure activities to promote positive attitudes
- Weekly reviews with the appointed psychiatrists
- Weekly meetings with multidisciplinary teams to check treatment response
Mental illness is a common reason for individuals to go to a hospital. However, learning when to pay a visit before the issue gets out of hand is extremely important. As a rule of thumb, consider checking yourself in a mental health facility if you feel too low to function normally or believe that you are an imminent threat to yourself or others.
If you are confused if you fulfill the criteria to be checked in, don’t hesitate to call your local mental health team for advice.
