What should I expect when seeking inpatient mental health treatment?
The following presumes you are not a minor. Also, IANAD or a mental health professional. Will I be able to choose when I leave? Yes. Check with your insurance company before you do; they may not pay the full amount if you leave against medical advice (AMA). Be aware that they will have rules about behavior, such as not leaving the floor, not leaving the hospital without permission, etc. This is for your own safety. But you can always say that you don’t want to be there anymore and pack up and leave. No one is going to forcibly restrain you into staying. On what basis could I be forced to stay? If you are a danger to yourself or others. Generally they don’t consider you an imminent risk unless you have a plan. While you’re there, it’d be pretty difficult to carry it out, anyway, as they’ll take away most anything you could use to harm yourself. will I be forced to take whatever medication is prescribed? No. They should discuss options with you, and let you make an informed decision abou
Inpatient treatment is generally seen as a last resort because treating people in the least restrictive setting is not only cheaper, but generally more effective and comfortable. but if you need it, you should not hesitate to go. It sounds like you have insurance so if you can possibly do it, call your insurer and tell them it’s a psychiatric emergency and you need an immediate referral to a psychiatrist who can see you tomorrow. If you have friends or family you can stay with, arrange for that– you’ll likely get to see a psychiatrist within a day and they will assess you and help decide whether to start you on meds, therapy or ideally both and whether inpatient is needed. Have someone else make the calls if you don’t feel up to it– most people enjoy helping their friends so it is OK to ask. If you don’t have insurance, unless you are imminently suicidal or homicidal or wealthy, hospitals are not likely to admit you– it is expensive. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek help at an E
