Depression sucks, and getting hospitalized for it may sound like the worst idea ever, but it might be something that you absolutely need. Find out, in this article, the reasons when your therapist is going to ask you to get admitted, or when you can voluntarily get yourself admitted for depression.

Hospitalization May be Just What You Need To Get Better.

“When to seek inpatient help for depression? When to get hospitalized for depression? When to go to the hospital for depression? Can I check myself into hospital for depression?”

These are some of the very frequently asked questions when it comes to depression and hospitalization.

People don’t understand depression well. They don’t know how to spot depression in themselves or others, and even if they do spot it, they don’t know what to do next. It’s a fact, not just a statement.

So, we can safely assume people don’t know about this disease for the most part, and they certainly don’t know what the various treatments available to them are.

Yes, there are treatments other than anti-depressants.

And yes, you can check yourself in a hospital for depression.

Most cases of depression can be successfully managed with the help of anti-depressants and psychotherapy on an outpatient basis, but sometimes it becomes a necessity for you to stay in the hospital for a short period.

Now the question is, when?

But before we answer to “when”, you need to understand “why” sometimes hospitalization could be advised to you.

When To Seek Inpatient Help For Depression

Hospitalization for a mental disorder is not something anyone would want, mostly because of the stigma associated with it.

What people fail to understand is that mental illnesses are illnesses just like any physical one. And just like sometimes you have to get admitted to get treated for physical illnesses, you might need to get admitted to treating mental illnesses.

Despite all the stigmas, you should understand that sometimes it’s necessary to get a hospital for the sake of your good.

First of all, understand this that getting hospitalized for depression is not equal to being sent to an asylum where you will be tied to a chair and given electric shocks multiple times a day. Seriously, it doesn't happen anywhere.

It in no way means that. So it is advised that you don’t look at it that way.

Now, coming to the question, why hospitalization may be advised to you?

Answer this: what is the major criminal causing depression? Any guesses?

The leading cause of depression today is stress.

Stress is something that triggers depression, and it can be any kind of stress, physical, mental, or social.

So, can you guess why sometimes hospitalization is advised?

The answer to that question is simple: to give you a better environment to heal.

Did you know that stress could be one major factor that may be causing the failure of your anti-depressants?

According to some recent findings, stress counteracts the action of anti-depressants.

Any kind of stress is not good for your health, especially when you are already depressed.

The idea behind hospitalization is to remove the stress factor from your life, even just for a few days, and continue the treatment so that you can get the maximum benefit from it.

The environment in the hospital for such cases is usually very warm and comforting. People there know and understand the disease well, and they don’t have a negative mindset to mental illnesses, because they know it is a legit disease.

The various kinds of stress that we go through daily come either from our home, office, or the society we live in. But when you stop for a while and stay in a place distant to what's causing you stress, it helps you ease your feelings and makes you feel relieved. Your meds will act better, and you will heal better.

Interacting with people with a similar illness, and sharing each other experiences is going to help you feel not alone and improve your coping skills.

That's a general idea.

Now, the following are the reasons when your therapist will think you should stay away from the stress factors.

Reasons for Hospital Admission for Depression

You have a vague idea now about why you might get suggested to get hospitalized. But there are some more specific reasons where you may be required to check-in.

Mostly it is when you have severe depression, or when your depression fails to respond to medications i.e. treatment-resistant depression, and the following are some conditions associated with these.

1. If you have suicidal thoughts or attempts.
2. If there is a risk of harming others or homicide.
3. If all other treatment modalities fail.
4. Inability to take care of themselves, like in older people living alone.
5. When severe depression is associated with substance abuse.
6. When severe depression is associated with an eating disorder.
7. When severe depression is associated with behavioral addictions like gambling, shopping, etc.
8. For treatments that can only be given in hospital settings, like, ECT and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
9. For the observational purpose in case of change of treatment.

When Can You Be Involuntarily Admitted to a Hospital For Depression

Yes, you can be admitted to a hospital against your will, even if you are an adult. This happens in case your family and your doctor think that you are a threat to yourself, or others.

1. A threat to yourself: if you try to attempt suicide.
2. A threat to others: homicidal thoughts.
3. If there are features of psychosis.

The most common cause is a suicide attempt; however evaluation before admission is required by a medical health professional to decide whether admission for a suicide attempt is needed or not.

For more details about when your loved ones can be admitted involuntary, talk to a mental health professional of your state or country, since the legal rules and regulations may vary from place to place.

What Can You Expect When Admitted

From the point of treatment, you can expect to get medications, counseling sessions, individual, family, and group therapies, and discussion on developing coping skills; like how to get through, and how to prevent relapse, etc.

You can also expect a change in the treatment methods, depending on how well you are responding to your current treatment plan.

The stay can be as short as 3 days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the condition, and also, sadly, the insurance coverage.

You will be given details about the tests and therapies that are going to be performed on you, what are the benefits and what are the possible side-effects. Being a patient, you have the right to decline any of it if you don’t want to.

Although you should also understand that the treatments that are suggested are for your good. Your doctor will suggest different treatments and tests depending on how you are responding to your current therapy. However, if you don’t feel safe or are unsure you can always seek the opinion of another doctor before actually proceeding for the test/therapy.

What You Can Do to Help Someone Who is Admitted For Depression

Mental illnesses can be as daunting for the family and friends as for the one who is suffering from the disease.

You might feel helpless and guilty for not being able to help them.

But you can play a great role in making them feel better.

From what I have seen in the hospital, a very handful of people actively take part in helping their loved ones out. The most common attitude is “once affected, can’t be treated”, and depression is “they’re sad” or “what can we do”. The attitude is mostly very wrong.

So, how can you take part?

Offer simple help.

Visit frequently, is my first advice.

Those who are extremely close to affected ones should visit frequently. The presence of too many not-so-close people might make them feel vulnerable and ashamed, as they might not want other people to know about them being in the hospital, or even have the disease. So, respect their privacy.

When you come in bring them food, flowers, things you can do together like board games or other group activities.

Talk about how they are doing there, about their family, about their feelings being there, and other casual chats. Crack jokes, and try to have a good time. Don’t make them feel that you are looking at them differently.

They may be sad and angry for being sent there; understand that it’s normal for them to feel angry about it. Don’t snap back at them, and try to make them understand that this is best for them.

They might refuse to see any visitors because of all the anger or guilt, but even if they do, visit and let them know that you were there to see them. Don’t force, though; respect their decision to not seeing anyone. In this case, send them flowers or cards. Make them feel that they are not alone. This is very important that they don’t feel alone.

You can also offer to help out with the kids, family, or work. Do simple errands for them back at their home. Visit their family as well, because they are most likely going through a lot too.

People with depression feel very lonely and this feeling of “nobody cares about me” plays a great role in the manifestation and maintenance of the disease. Being the family and friends, it’s your responsibility to make an effort and prove that’s wrong. That is why the participation and support of the family members are very crucial for a complete cure and prevention of recurrence.

Few Important Points to Note

1. Not all hospitals are the same, so the treatment plan may differ slightly. The type of treatment you get will also depend on the country you live in; developed or developing. So, talk to your doctor about the whole treatment. Get the information beforehand, so that there are no surprises.

2. Remember to ask about every treatment you are being given there, and what can be the possible side effects. Ideally your doctor will tell you themselves, but if not, ask them.


3. The hospital admission for mental illness will go in your permanent record. But that shouldn’t be your primary concern if you are seeking better health, although it’s understandable if it is. How this may affect you depends on where you live.

However, keep in mind that the number of people who go through inpatient treatment does better in terms of cure.

The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important for long-term social functioning and is low in patients with depression. Patients who go through inpatient treatment develop a better HRQoL. So, inpatient treatment certainly has its own advantages, and at times the best treatment option available to you.

Also, though it will be in your medical records, the information of you being admitted will not be disclosed to anyone, other than the insurance company.


4. You can also look for a day program, if you are not suicidal, and don’t want your admission to go into your medical record history. Although, day programs are rare, and may not be available in your state or country, especially in less developed countries. Talk to your doctor about it.


5. Sometimes insurance companies may stop covering for the expense after a while when they “feel” like there is no need for further treatment. In this case, ask your doctor to make an appeal, or talk to a mental health lawyer.


6. Also, you must note that even if you voluntarily check into a hospital, once admitted you will have to abide by the hospital rules that are there for yours and other’s safety. So you may not have complete freedom of doing whatever you want, and going in and out. You may not be allowed to keep certain things that might be used to cause harm like sharp objects, belts, etc.

Conclusion

You should not care about what people will think because if tomorrow you decide to kill yourself, you will leave your family a lifetime of pain, confusion, and maybe even anger.

The society is not going to matter to them then.

Our lives are connected with our loved ones. Maybe it seems like nobody cares about you, a very common feeling depressed people have, but believe it or not you taking your life is going to affect your loved ones in ways you can never imagine.

It’s understandable why you may not want to go there, and considering the current stigma association, it’s logical for you to be sad, scared, ashamed and angry for being sent there, but what you need to understand is that it might be the best option available to you.

Depression is not something permanent. You can get rid of it. It’s a lie that once affected by depression you can get out of it. However, you should remember that every treatment won’t work the same in everybody. And this is the reason that sometimes your doctor will explore a few ideas before prescribing you a final method of treatment. Your doctor might change the drugs a few times, suggest you different methods of treatment, or ask you to get hospitalized.

Depression is not something you can control. It is a disease. But you can, to some extent, control your treatment and contribute to a fast recovery.

A will to get better should be there.

We can assume that if you are seeking medical help for getting better then that will to get better is there, and I congratulate you for that. That’s a great achievement in itself. Now, all you have to do is have a little faith in your doctor, and yourself.

Always remember, better days are ahead.

 "Here's the tragedy: when you are the victim of depression, not only do you feel utterly helpless and abandoned by the world, you also know that very few people can understand, or even begin to believe, that life can be this painful. There is nothing I can think of that is quite as isolating as this."

- Giles Andreae

© Quirky Writes 2018