Entering a Mental Health Center: What to Expect

Battling mental illness can be a daunting journey. From depression to anxiety and bipolar disorder, these issues touch millions of people every year. Therapy and medication can ease symptoms and allow some individuals to function at their jobs and at home; however, when the illness becomes too great to overcome, they reach their breaking point may benefit from entering a mental health center. Knowing what to expect before the intake process can give incoming patients and their loved ones peace of mind during this difficult time.

First Contact

When an individual requires mental health treatment, the first step is to reach out and discover which resources are available in the area. Loved ones can find treatment centers through a variety of means and these may include:

• Internet research
• Referrals from therapists or emergency room doctors
• Recommendations from family and friends touched by mental illness

A phone call to most mental health centers usually results in a consultation and the answering of a few initial questions so the treatment center representative can gauge whether an individual requires care and whether the facility has the means to provide it.

Intake

Once a patient arrives at a mental health center, he or she will likely be evaluated by the staff to discern what types of treatments are necessary.  A friend or loved one’s presence may be allowed during this stage, as the individual who needs treatment may feel anxious or unsure about entering the facility on an inpatient basis. The staff may also help everyone present understand more about the mental illness they face and that seeking treatment is neither shameful nor a sign of weakness.

Treatment

While no two people who suffer from mental illness are the same, a treatment center may employ strategies like group therapy as a part of its program. Sessions like this may help the afflicted understand that they are not alone in their struggle to recover. Medication, physical therapy and monitoring of a patient’s daily mood and condition will likely all be included in treatment.

Progress Updates

The staff at a mental care hospital may discuss a patient’s progress with those authorized to receive the information on a daily or weekly basis. Loved ones may learn about the type of treatments are being used and what medication the patient is taking. These updates might be the best time for family and friends who have questions or concerns regarding any facet of treatment.

Living with mental illness can be difficult, and some individuals require help from a mental health center to recover. Contact a trauma therapist in Palatine, IL today for more information about available treatment options.

Thanks to Lotus Wellness Center for their insight into therapy and mental health centers.