Suffering from a mental health condition can be a frightening experience. You might feel helpless and unsure of what to do next when sudden psychological symptoms appear. If your mental health concerns are distressing and overwhelming, you’ll want to seek out an immediate treatment plan of action. As such, you may be wondering whether to look into outpatient drug-free treatment options or choosing inpatient psychiatric care in the DTC area.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. 4 out of 10 Americans are reporting negative effects on their mental health due to the COVID-19 pandemic according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report. Today, we’ll compare inpatient adult psychiatric care and outpatient drug-free treatments to help you choose the method for addressing your mental health care concerns.
What are the inpatient psychiatric care options near DTC?
Inpatient psychiatric care is hospitalization in the form of short-term adult residency programs as well as long-term hospitalization services. Inpatient psychiatric care is available at several facilities in Denver. The staff at these facilities include a wide array of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, counselors, and other health professionals.
Most of these facilities provide patients with 24-hour emergency medical coverage along with intensive behavioral therapy, group counseling sessions, individual psychotherapy, and medication management.
When is inpatient psychiatric care needed?
Inpatient hospitalization may be required for emergency psychological episodes that can occur when you’re suffering from mood and personality disorders such as:
- Bipolar Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
If your circumstance is acute and critical, emergency psychiatric hospitalization or a psychiatrist in DTC may be the best option for you. However, there are several drawbacks to this type of care.
What are the cons of inpatient psychiatric hospitalization?
- Highly disruptive to your life
- Lacking personal freedom and privacy
- Limited access to outside resources
- Medication-dependent
- Minimal individualized care
- A short-term solution
- Expensive
Adult inpatient settings are not for everyone. Unlike outpatient treatment, adult inpatient treatment requires that you make accommodations to set aside work and family responsibilities. You may have to pay for childcare, take significant time off work, or quit your job completely.
When you check in to an inpatient facility, you are required to stay within its walls until discharged. This means not leaving the facility without permission or, if you’re able, signing yourself out voluntarily. This can be distressing and negatively impact the quality of life for some.
Again, depending on which facility you are admitted to, you may not be allowed to use a phone or any other electronics except those provided by the facility. Some locations may just limit phone calls and text messages. Internet connections may also be limited at certain facilities.
Most behavioral health programs have at least one psychiatrist or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner on staff. This is because inpatient psychiatric care is highly dependent on medication as a form of treatment. Their approach to treatment is typically medication-assisted that includes a daily regimen of one or more psychiatric medications combined with counseling and behavioral therapies.
Inpatient hospitalizations and programs can vary in the experiences of patients. But, typically many behavioral therapy sessions at these clinics take place in a group setting. You may have some one-on-one conversations with psychiatrists, nurses, and counselors. But, due to the volume of patients, personalized care is not a high priority.
Once discharged from an inpatient hospital, there can be little follow-up with your discharge plan. It may include a referral to a counselor or outpatient psychiatrist in Denver and a prescription for medication(s). Your experience may help manage an acute mental health emergency but provides little long-term support.
The bottom line is that hospitalization of any kind is expensive. And while your insurance may cover some part of your psychiatric care, that coverage depends solely on the treatment program. Outpatient treatment is much more affordable and is more likely to be covered by insurance.
When might drug-free treatment be better than inpatient psychiatric hospitalization?
Do the cons of inpatient psychiatric care disqualify you as an inpatient? Do you want to pursue a drug-free treatment for your mental health issues? If so, we can help. Our clinicians at Braincode Centers have extensive training in drug-free treatment methods that provide long-lasting and effective relief of mental health symptoms.
Did you know that only 2% of your nervous system is chemical and the rest is electrical? We highlight this point because it shows that the traditional medication approach to imbalances can only support a mere 2% of your overall nervous system. Unfortunately, this is not common knowledge and when you need mental health support, your first instinct may be to seek a medical solution to what ails us. More often than not, patients who’ve opted for traditional routes, like medications, are unable to find relief from symptoms. This is because the imbalances they struggle with don’t occur in the chemical part of the nervous system.
Some top drug-free treatment options offered by our team of brain specialists in Denver are:
- qEEG Brain Mapping
- Neurofeedback
- Biofeedback
- Near-infrared light therapy
- And, traditional counseling
Leverage drug-free psychiatric treatment options in DTC
At Braincode Centers, we’ve built a practice that supports both the chemical and the electrical parts of the nervous system. Our drug-free treatment options allow us to understand the root of the problem and address symptoms right at the source through a holistic approach to mental health care.
We understand how overwhelming it can be when suffering from a mental health condition. But, you don’t have to go through it alone. If you’re struggling to manage your mental health condition and are seeking a natural treatment option, reach out to us at Braincode Centers.
Schedule a free consultation at our location in the Denver Tech Center today.
