When depression has you in its grip, even the smallest task can feel like climbing a mountain. If you’ve reached a stage where outpatient care isn’t providing enough relief, inpatient depression treatment can offer a deeper level of support to help you heal.
Inpatient settings are structured, safe environments designed to help people recover and reconnect, especially when symptoms are severe. Through carefully tailored residential programs for depression, such as those through AMFM Healthcare, people can access round-the-clock care, therapeutic support, and the space to focus solely on their healing.
This page can help you understand inpatient depression treatment options by exploring:
Depression is an extreme feeling of sadness that persists for longer than two weeks and interferes with daily life and functioning. Common symptoms of depression include:1-3
Feeling low, sad, or hopeless
If you are having thoughts of suicide or feel at risk of harm, call 911 or attend your nearest emergency department for immediate assistance.
Clinical depression can make it difficult to get through the day. For instance, people with depression may struggle with everyday tasks, whether this is going to work or brushing their teeth. In this way, depression can be like a shadow that touches every aspect of life, including work, education, relationships, and home. Plus, if left untreated, it can worsen, potentially significantly impacting both mental and physical health.
Unfortunately, depression accounts for nearly 40,000 cases of suicide each year in the U.S.4 Therefore, getting the right support is vital for depression recovery so that you can look forward to a future filled with hope.
Outpatient treatments for depression, such as antidepressant medication or weekly psychotherapy, can help to relieve depressive symptoms.4 However, sometimes people need more support than outpatient services can provide. This is when major depression inpatient treatment can be beneficial. But how do you know when the time is right to seek inpatient depression treatment?
We accept most major insurance providers and can check your coverage levels for you.
If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help.
Some of the signs that depression disorder residential programs may be beneficial include when a person:5,6
Has suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Inpatient treatment for depression isn’t uncommon. In fact, it’s estimated that approximately 12% of adults with major depressive disorder in the U.S. require inpatient care for their condition at some point in their lives.7 Additionally, research shows that people with clinical depression may benefit more from inpatient treatment than the less-intensive outpatient options.8
However, you may be wondering what residential treatment programs are really like, especially if you’ve seen depictions of mental health institutions in movies or on TV. It may be relieving to know these are often completely fictional and inaccurate representations. Instead, inpatient or residential programs for depression treatment allow you to focus on your recovery in a safe, stable environment with the support and care you need and deserve. We cover what the experience of residential treatment is typically like in the next section.
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You may have preconceptions of what inpatient or residential treatment for mental health conditions may look like. However, the reality is likely to be quite different. The following sections provide a breakdown of what inpatient depression treatment typically involves.
When you attend inpatient depression treatment, you can expect a safe, structured live-in environment designed to minimize stress and uncertainty. 24/7 care is provided, along with a personalized treatment plan to help you reach your recovery goals.
Additionally, your meals are taken care of, and many residential sites have access to facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, libraries, movie theatres, and gardens. You’ll typically still have access to your phone, although there may be some restrictions on use, such as not using phones during therapeutic sessions.
Residential stays can vary in length depending on your needs, from weekend programs through to six-month or longer residential treatment plans.
Short-term stays, such as weekend or 30-day treatment programs, are usually more suitable for people experiencing a crisis or very acute symptoms. In contrast, long-term stays offer more extensive care for prolonged periods. The latter may be more appropriate for those with greater mental health challenges who want to achieve long-lasting well-being.
Inpatient treatment includes a daily schedule created to enhance your recovery journey. For example, some of the more routine elements include inpatient therapy for depression recovery, such as individual, group, or family therapy, depending on your unique needs.
Further, at AMFM, we offer a range of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). We also provide holistic and creative therapy groups, such as art therapy, animal-assisted therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction, designed to enhance your overall well-being.
If appropriate, medication management may be carried out by a qualified mental health professional to help you manage your symptoms.
Finally, inpatient depression therapy programs also frequently offer access to activities that can support your overall well-being. These may include recreational activities such as creative writing classes, off-site group activities, education sessions, or exercise classes.
Now that you may have a better idea about what to expect from a typical inpatient treatment, let’s look at some of the benefits you may experience.
People are sometimes concerned about the commitment involved when attending residential programs. However, there are several significant benefits to be gained from receiving treatment as a depression recovery center inpatient. These may include:
Overall, by providing a safe, supportive, and structured environment with specialist mental health support, accessing the best inpatient treatment for depression can significantly accelerate the healing process.
Inpatient depression treatment can be life-changing for many people, but what happens once you finish your residential program?
Going back to daily life outside of residential treatment can sometimes feel jarring or scary. After all, you’ve been recovering and healing in a supportive setting with many treatment and care opportunities available for you. Once this program is finished, going back home and facing common daily stressors can be challenging, especially if they previously contributed to your depression. Aftercare planning ensures that you’re continuously supported during this transition.
Aftercare is the plan created to support you following your residential treatment. It provides you with the support you need while transitioning back to daily life. Aftercare may include provisions such as support groups, ongoing therapy on an outpatient basis, continuation of medication management, or extra coping strategies. Essentially, the range of support you receive will be tailored to your specific needs and the challenges you may face.
You may find it reassuring to know that aftercare isn’t only available as traditional weekly outpatient programs. Other options include partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs).
IOPs, on the other hand, are ideal for someone moving from a PHP to traditional outpatient care (such as weekly therapy). IOPs require less time commitment than PHPs, typically two to three hours a day, for three to five days each week. IOPs offer group and individual therapy on a flexible schedule during the week, often with in-person and virtual treatment options available. These programs allow you to continue receiving the support you need while returning to your daily life.10
Due to the continued support an aftercare plan for leaving residential treatment provides, they’re often essential for preventing a relapse and ensuring long-term recovery.
Next, we explore what to consider when searching for the right inpatient program for your needs.
Choosing an inpatient depression treatment center can be a big decision; it’s where you may spend a considerable amount of time while you heal. Equally, it can feel overwhelming when you talk to an admissions team and are asked, “Do you have any questions?” You know there are things you could probably ask, but when under pressure, you may end up drawing a blank.
When looking for the best residential depression recovery centers, some suggestions of questions you may want to ask include:
Additionally, you may wish to consider factors such as location, public reviews on a healthcare provider’s services, and whether the ethos of the center matches your values.
Choosing the right residential treatment program doesn’t have to feel daunting. Being prepared with questions to ask can help make the process easier and allow you to make the best decision for your well-being.
If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, know that you are not alone. Healing is possible, and our compassionate, experienced team is here to provide the support and structure needed to begin the recovery journey.
At AMFM’s residential treatment program for depression, you’ll discover a safe, nurturing environment designed to help you regain hope and start living the life you want. Taking the first step may feel overwhelming, but it can also be life-changing.
Reach out to us today to find out more about how our inpatient depression treatment can help you or your loved one heal.
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Complete the form to receive a prompt call back from a member of our experienced and compassionate admissions staff. All communication is 100% confidential.
