If you’ve ever felt the panic of a mental crisis, then you’ve probably considered checking yourself into a mental hospital.
Mental illness is a prevalent reason for patients to visit the hospital. However, knowing when to admit yourself to a mental hospital and when it’s only an episode that will pass can be a crisis in itself.
If you find yourself in a situation where you’re considering, “should I go to a mental hospital,” as a general rule, the reasons to be put in a mental hospital consist of:
- Actively having suicidal or homicidal thoughts.
- Actively hallucinating or unable to manage your mood swings in an outpatient setting.
- An inability to escape the pattern of addiction in an outpatient setting.
If you are unsure if you fulfill the criteria for an inpatient hospitalization, call your local mental health facility, which will examine your present needs and offer appropriate suggestions.
The prospect of committing yourself can be intimidating. However, if you know what to expect, this can help to alleviate some of the anxiety. With that in mind, we’re going to cover how to admit yourself to a mental hospital so you can get the care you need.
When to Admit Yourself to a Mental Hospital
If you or a loved one is displaying indications of psychosis, such as significantly impaired thinking or disordered speech, the ER is the place to go. If you have been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness and have significant medication problems, you should also go to the emergency room.
If you’re suffering severe depressive symptoms, thoughts of hurting yourself or others, or your therapy isn’t working; you should consider going to the hospital. Although this is can be a terrifying notion, knowing what to expect during the process, and how to admit yourself to a mental hospital, may make it less frightening.
A hospital may also be the best option if you’re experiencing an episode because what appears to be a mental health issue is often a physiological one. Medicines frequently interact with each other in various ways, and a hospital can assist with this. You may also consider having a DNA examination, so your physician can prescribe a more genetically optimal medication that works best with your physiology.
Can a Hospital Help With Mental Illness?
You may never have considered that at one point in your life you’d be actively thinking, “I want to be admitted to a mental hospital.” However, people admit themselves to the hospital for mental illness for a variety of reasons. Here are a few examples:
Monitoring
One of the primary reasons you may want to learn how to commit yourself is simply to be watched.
People who are dealing with a mental illness may feel as though they can’t trust themselves. Perhaps you can’t seem to stop yourself from harming yourself, or you’re terrified of injuring someone else. You are continually watched in a hospital by trained professionals to keep you and those around you safe.
A respite
Mental health inpatient hospitalizations are generally brief (from a few days to a week or two). However, if your daily life is stressing you out, taking a short getaway might benefit your mental health. Meals are prepared for you, your washing is done for you, and your medications are delivered to you by nurses at set times while you’re in the hospital.
Prompt and complete medical attention
If you’ve ever considered the notion, “do I need inpatient psychiatric treatment,” there’s a chance you’re dealing with a lot. After all, this is a serious question to pose. Taking care of all of your mental health requirements might feel like juggling a lot of balls at once. There’s medicine, counseling, lifestyle modifications, and your physical health to consider.
Scheduling appointments in the real world may be difficult, and you may have to wait to be seen. In a hospital, though, you may get everything taken care of at once.
How to Check Yourself into a Mental Hospital: The Admission Process
As you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed right now, you might want to enlist the aid of a friend or family member to help you check into the hospital and fill out paperwork.
If at all possible, you should contact the hospital beforehand to learn about its policies and procedures, as well as what materials you should carry. It will also be beneficial to include information regarding visiting hours and telephone access.
When checking yourself into a mental hospital, have the following information available:
- Name and contact information for your doctor
- Contact information for trustworthy friends, family members, or members of a support group
- Information on any additional health concerns you may have
- A list of all the medications you’re taking
- Any allergies you may have
- Insurance information
Suppose you want to give a trusted family member the ability to make medical choices on your behalf. In that case, you can have an advance directive and medical power of attorney established for you. If you become too unwell to make your own decisions, this will ensure that your wishes are followed.
While you receive your treatment, keep the following in mind:
- Recognize that the personnel is there to assist you rather than to harm you.
- It’s a procedure with stages to follow and documentation to complete.
- Don’t hide pertinent information from your doctor.
- You will be locked in a secure unit. However, staff will occasionally allow you out of the rooms for brief visits or trips.
- Make every effort to work with the staff and your other patients. It may take some time for you to be released, but keep in mind that you are there to get well.
- Read and understand your patient rights.
- Staff will remove shoestrings, belts, hoodies, nail clippers, razors, and anything deemed potentially harmful from your personal items.
- Don’t worry about the other patients’ strange actions; they’re attempting to remedy their situation in the same manner you are.
- Avoid any and all sexual conduct. Set personal limits and stick to them; the psychiatric ward is not the place to start a relationship.
- Allow time and space for yourself. You’re on a path to becoming better, which requires time and effort.
- When you have free time, engage in some physical exercise. Your body needs a physical release to handle the stress that your mind is experiencing.
Your admittance and stay in the psychiatric unit will be an adventure. While it can be an unusual and unpleasant environment at times, it is also the greatest location for you and your mental health.
Checking Yourself Into a Mental Hospital: What to Expect
How Long is the Stay?
The duration of your visit is determined by your requirements and might range from a few days to several weeks or longer. Your doctor’s advice determines the length of your inpatient stay.
What Rules Can I Expect?
Even if you are not admitted against your will, the hospital will impose regulations to safeguard your safety, including:
- Being confined to a closed ward that you are unable to leave at any time.
- Locking away some objects that may be used to hurt yourself (for example, belts, razors, and shoelaces).
- Meals, treatments, activities, and bedtime will all be planned ahead of time.
- You will most likely end up sharing a room with another person.
What Mental Health Services Do Hospitals Offer?
Initially, you will be assessed by a psychiatrist to establish the best treatment strategy for you.
Your treatment plan will certainly include collaboration with several mental health specialists, as well as therapists that specialize in physical activity and rehabilitation.
During your stay, you will most likely participate in solo, group, or family therapy. You will almost certainly be given one or more medications as well.
The hospital staff will also take care of obtaining clearance from your insurance company for your stay. Your insurance provider will review your progress throughout your visit to see if you require more hospital time.
Alternatives to Mental Hospitals
In many cases, a hospital stay can be beneficial, but it also has downsides. It’s not the greatest long-term option because you’re unlikely to leave the hospital totally healed. However, it can be an excellent first step.
A hospital stay in the United States can also be costly. Fortunately, there are methods to receive financial help, so don’t let this stop you from protecting yourself if it’s your best option.
Whether you choose to go to the hospital or not, you should be aware that you have several alternatives. If you’re in a crisis, contact 1-800-273-Chat or text “MHA” to 741-741 to talk to a professional counselor from Crisis Text Line. You can book a meeting with a therapist or talk to your doctor about taking a prescription for a longer-term solution. Many people find solace by joining a support group.
Learn more about mental illness, speak up to someone you trust, and make lifestyle changes to enhance your mental health on your own.
Now that you know how to admit yourself to a mental hospital, you may want to examine some of the possibilities behind your symptoms. Ultimately you may be prescribed medication as part of your treatment.
The problem is that everyone responds differently to medication.
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