Alternative to a Mental Ward Hospital

What Can I Do Instead of Going to a Mental Hospital?

When in the midst of a mental health crisis you may assume the only treatment option is a mental ward in a hospital setting. Learn about some other mental healthcare options.

There is no disputing the hardship that Covid-19 has placed on mental health. After nearly two years of a virus affecting our daily lives in profound ways, many people are feeling the impact.

The range of these effects is wide, from feelings of mental exhaustion to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. With so many unknowns still ahead, it is crucial that we address our mental health needs in a timely way. Treat your mental health with just as much concern as you would your physical health.

There are many options for obtaining expert mental health care. These range from outpatient services to residential care to a mental ward at a hospital. A mental health provider will assess the level of care needed during an intake interview. Once a diagnosis is made, they can guide you toward the best treatment setting.

What is a Psychiatric Crisis?

Chances are that if you are in the midst of a mental health crisis you or your loved ones are well aware of it. This is because the signs of mental illness are not subtle. They draw notice because they are not your normal behaviors.

A mental illness can make even the most basic daily tasks seem like an enormous effort. Many times, the symptoms of the breakdown are so intense that you cannot function at your job. Likewise, you may struggle to perform your normal duties as a parent.

Red flag warnings flash when you begin to show the signs of self-harm, or of maybe harming someone else. Your mental health has become so unstable that you become a danger to yourself and even a suicide risk.

Symptoms of a Mental Breakdown

For some people, a mental health struggle may be a new situation. It could arise from an adverse life event, or due to ongoing stress. The pandemic is a good example of mental health problems arising from chronic stress.

Others may have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder in the past and have been under a doctor’s care. But sometimes the symptoms worsen suddenly and severely, and the person seems to no longer be able to manage them. Either of these scenarios is cause for concern and should not be ignored.

Warning signs of a mental health crisis might include:

• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Mental confusion.
• Personality changes.
• Isolating
• Extreme mood swings.
• Confused speech.
• Inappropriate behavior.
• Rapid weight gain or loss.
• Angry or violent outbursts.
• Nightmares
• Insomnia
• Problem with concentrating.
• Extreme despair.
• Odd body postures or movements.
• Ignores personal hygiene.
• Problems keeping up at work.
• Loss of interest in living.
• Substance abuse escalates.
• Suicide threats or attempts.

If you or a loved one are exhibiting these types of symptoms, you should seek the help of a mental health professional. Do not delay, as the situation can escalate quickly.

Different Mental Health Treatment Settings

Mental health treatment has become highly specialized. There are programs that focus on helping those with depression. Others might specialize in anxiety disorders. There are various levels of outpatient care. There are private residential programs, and there are mental wards in hospitals. Let’s look into each of these:

Outpatient. Outpatient treatment is offered in three levels of care. The lowest level of care involves basic private psychotherapy or psychiatric services. Intensive outpatient and day treatment centers are more intensive, with several hours of therapy per week.

Residential. Residential mental health treatment programs are at private residence settings. These are intimate programs with few patients and a high level of care. These private programs offer a more relaxed feeling, beautiful settings and grounds, and resort-like services.

Hospital. A mental ward is a psychiatric wing of a hospital that is segregated from the other patients. These settings provide the highest level of care, such as acute stabilization and suicide watch.

Residential Psychiatric Treatment

A private home mental health program can be an excellent option for finding the help you need. This type of setting allows for you to leave the daily stressors behind for a period of time so you can just focus on getting well. These private programs also tend to offer premier amenities, special features, and spa-like services.

The basic treatment elements will include:

• Medication. A wide array of psych meds is available to help manage the symptoms of the mental health disorder. The drugs are prescribed in tandem with psychotherapy other treatment measures. Current drug dosages may have to be tittered or the drugs themselves changed, depending on intake data.
• Psychotherapy. Therapy is at the heart of mental health treatment, for all types of mental illness. Therapy involves both one-on-one and group sessions. Patients are guided to examine the issues that may be behind mental health problems. They then receive guidance to help them make needed changes or to help them process painful past traumas.

Aftercare and Holistic Methods

After the treatment program is completed, you will still be engaged in actions that help sustain the progress made. By engaging in aftercare services you can keep improving your mental health. These services include:

• Outpatient therapy sessions.
• Transitional housing if needed.
• Social services are arranged by the case manager.
• Holistic actions, such as:
  • Mindfulness
  • Daily exercise.
  • Healthy diet.
  • Yoga
  • Journaling
  • Art therapy.
  • Guided meditation.
  • Massage
• Social connection.
• Support groups.

A mental ward hospital can serve a needed purpose. In most cases, these wards are reserved for severe acute mental health breakdowns. Indeed, most people can find excellent care in private mental health centers that provide a more relaxed setting.

Elevation Behavioral Health Provides Private Mental Health Treatment Option

Elevation Behavioral Health is a private residential mental health treatment center. It offers a set of comfort and compassion and is staffed with caring mental health professionals. For more details about the program, please reach out to us today at (888) 561-0868.