Inpatient Admittance

Psychiatric hospitals provide a temporary home for patients with mental illnesses who are unable to care for themselves, are dangerous to others, or have attempted suicide. The typical length of a hospital stay is seven days, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Conditions

The National Mental Health Association states that schizophrenia is the most commonly treated illness in psychiatric inpatient programs, affecting over 50 percent of patients. Other commonly treated conditions include depression, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, and substance abuse.

Inpatient Care

After admittance, patients receive therapy, usually with medication, in an organized environment. Hospitalization allows patients to focus on their mental health without the stress and distractions of everyday life, and it enables psychiatrists to carefully monitor patients' conditions.

Partial Hospitalization

Some hospitals, such as Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital, offer partial hospitalization for patients who need acute treatment without the full-time security of inpatient care.

Outpatient Services

If a patient is not a danger to herself or others, a psychiatrist may recommend outpatient care, which provides all-day therapy at the hospital while allowing the patient to spend her nights at home.

Source:

Your Total Health: Inpatient Psychiatric Care; reviewed by Steven A. King, M.D. and Tahir Tellioglu, M.D., APA, AAAP; Jun. 13, 2007

McLean Hospital: Frequently Asked Questions

Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital: Patient Services; Sep, 12, 2008