Going Inpatient
Voluntary Check In
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Going Inpatient for You Right Now
When deciding whether or not to check yourself into a hospital, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons for yourself. Of course, these will always be individualized for you in your specific situation, but here we’ll go over some of the common pros and cons to get you started:
PROS of voluntarily checking yourself into an inpatient facility:
- Professional support 24/7. Inpatient facilities provide direct and ongoing support for patients, which can be extremely beneficial for those struggling with mental health issues, addiction, or chronic health conditions that require ongoing treatment.
- A structured environment. Inpatient facilities have a structured environment, so if that’s something you struggle to maintain in your daily life or would benefit from, an inpatient facility can help. It can help patients establish healthy routines and habits, including regular meal times, group therapy sessions, and scheduled positive and non-destructive activities to promote self-care and recovery.
- Reduced distractions. By removing the daily stressors and distractions of life, inpatient facilities can help patients focus solely on recovery. This can be especially helpful for those struggling with mental health or addiction issues.
- Community Support. Inpatient facilities include a community of peers who are going through similar experiences. This can help provide a sense of belonging and help people feel less alone or “different”.
CONS of voluntarily checking yourself into an inpatient facility:
- Costs. Inpatient treatment can be expensive, and not all insurance plans cover it. This can be a significant barrier for many people.
- Time Commitment. Inpatient facilities often require a significant time commitment for treatment, ranging from a few weeks to several months. This can be incredibly difficult for those with work or family responsibilities.
- Limited freedom. Inpatient facilities often have strict rules that can feel restrictive to some people.
- Stigma. There is a stigma surrounding mental health and addiction in our society, and choosing to seek treatment can be difficult because of it.
- Fear of choosing an unethical or “bad” facility. We’ve all heard horror stories about facilities that mistreat their patients. The important thing is to do your research – which we will cover below – so you know you are choosing the best facility and getting the best care.
Choosing the Right Facility
If you’re volunteering for inpatient treatment, you want to set yourself up for success and choose the best facility. Here are some tips for choosing the best inpatient psychiatric facility:
- Talk to your doctor and/or therapist. They can give you a list of facilities they recommend and help you determine what kind of care you need and what to look for in a facility.
- Research the facility. Look for information online, including reviews from patients who have stayed there. Check the facility’s licensing, certification, and accreditation. You can also check with the state mental health department to see if the facility has had any complaints or violations.
- Consider location. Do you want to stay close to home so friends and family can visit, or are you willing to travel?
- Check the staff-to-patient ratio. This is very important in determining the quality of care you’ll receive. Look for a low staff-to-patient ratio to ensure that you’ll receive individualized attention and care.
- Ask about the treatment approach. Different facilities will have different approaches. Make sure that the facility’s approach is consistent with your values and beliefs. Ask about the types of therapy and programs they offer (individual, group, medication management, etc.).
- Ask about aftercare. A good inpatient facility will have a plan for aftercare once you leave the facility. What support will they provide to help you transition back to everyday life, such as outpatient therapy, support groups, etc.?
- Tour the facility. Before you decide, schedule a tour to see what the environment is like. Check for cleanliness and amenities.
Remember that choosing to prioritize your mental health is a very brave choice and a huge step toward healing and recovery.
What You Can & Cannot Bring
Each facility has different rules and regulations about what is and isn’t allowed, so be sure to check your facility’s policy. For example, no facility will allow clothing with drawstrings, so any clothing with drawstrings will be removed upon arrival. However, facility rules regarding other items will vary on a case-by-case basis, such as spiral-bound notebooks.
- Ensure the bras you bring have no underwire
- Bring clothing with no drawstrings
- You cannot bring pens or pencils, but you can often bring markers and crayons.
- Some facilities will not allow jeans
- Some facilities will not allow spiral-bound journals
- Any products you bring (lotion, shampoo, soap, etc.) must be unscented.
- Some facilities do not allow stuffed animals with bead or hard eyes.
- Most facilities will not allow you to bring your phone.
Involuntary Check In
Supplies
- Ask someone to bring you things from home. The facility will provide you with essentials, but it can be comforting to have your own things with you. Ask a friend, family member, or loved one to bring you things like your own pillow, clothes, magazines, stuffed animals, books, etc. (Make sure these items comply with the facility’s rules – for example, no clothes with drawstrings, and some facilities may not allow spiral-bound journals).
Once You’re There
What to Expect
Conduct
- Do not create or get involved in problems with other patients. Everyone there is struggling and going through intense changes, medication changes, etc. If things escalate, it could get you in trouble, even if the other patient is responsible for the escalation.
How to Set Yourself Up for Success
- Be open and receptive to trying new things. You’re here to heal and get better, and to do that you need to learn new skills and possibly try new medications, treatments, therapy styles, and more. Even if it’s something you’ve tried in the past and it didn’t work, be open to trying it again. You’re there to dedicate time to healing, so being open to trying things is very important.
- Don’t spend all your time in your room.
- Arrange for visits, if allowed. Loved ones may be allowed to visit, which can be very helpful, but make sure you only have people who will positively impact your healing process. Don’t bring anyone into the facility who is a source of stress or toxicity in your life, no matter what attachments you may have to them.
- Be honest with your therapists, doctors, and nurses. It’s counterproductive to avoid talking about something for fear of prolonging your stay, because the reason they prolong your stay is because they’re waiting for you to finally open up. They want to work with you to figure out what’s going on and help treat you and get you out of the facility, but they can’t do that until you talk to them about what you’re dealing with. It’s scary, but don’t just try to wait it out because you want to be stubborn.
- Do not lie about substance use. Including vaping. Do not lie about it. They need to know – especially with vaping and smoking, they need to give you nicotine replacement so you don’t go through withdrawal.
After Inpatient
Setting yourself up for success when you leave an inpatient facility is important. You want to transition back to life in the outside world, and you want to take the skills, new treatment plans, and any new medications and continue to use them so that you don’t have to return to the facility in the future. Here are some steps you can take to set yourself up for success after leaving inpatient treatment…
- Follow the discharge plan that was created for you. This may include therapy appointments, medication instructions, and self-care routines.
- Develop a strong support network. Surround yourself with friends, family, loved ones, and support groups who understand what you’re going through. This can help with feelings of isolation, especially after leaving a facility where you were constantly surrounded by people.
- Continue therapy. If recommended, continue to attend outpatient therapy in a committed and active manner.
- Take medication as prescribed.
- Maintain open communication. Keep in touch with your team even after you’ve left the facility. Keep them informed of your progress, challenges, and any changes.
Deutsch 
English 
Español de México 
Français 
Português do Brasil
Antworten