Mental Hospitals: What They’re Really Like

And why you don’t have to be scared

The words “mental hospital” can strike fear in even those people most in need of the help. The words conjure images of padded rooms, straight jackets, and nurses wielding large needles. In reality, the truth is far different. There are good and bad mental hospitals out there, but the vast majority are places where people want to get you to a better, safer place in your life. No one wants to spend time in the mental hospital any more than they want to spend time in any hospital, but you shouldn’t feel afraid to take advantage of this resource if you need it. Below is the good and the bad about being admitted to a mental hospital.

Realities of mental hospitals

• May be hard to get into — Unfortunately one of the scariest parts of mental hospitals is how hard they can be to get into. Cutbacks and changes in the mental health system mean that resources for people most in need can be hard to come by. This means that someone in crisis may find themselves waiting in emergency rooms for days while beds are located or they may have to go to hospitals far from home. If you’re less severely sick, you may find that you may not be eligible for a bed at all and you may be better off getting care outside of the hospital. Working with your doctor can sometimes help facilitate access to proper care.
• Keep you safe
  The main purpose of seeking care at a mental health facility is to keep you safe during a crisis. They will provide continuous monitoring if you’re having suicidal thoughts or after an attempt. They can also help people in acute psychosis or who are severely manic. In the case of severe eating disorders, they can provide a place for monitoring and making sure that you are eating and avoiding purging behaviors.
• Quick change of medications
  One of the biggest reasons to be admitted to the mental hospital is for quick medication changes to help in an acute crisis. By being in the hospital you will be given medications on a regular schedule and monitored for side effects and reduction in symptoms on a day-to-day basis. Med dosages can be quickly increased or decreased as needed and new medications can be added.
• Diagnosis
  Another important feature of a trip to the mental hospital is that new diagnoses can be explored. Your treatment team will go through your symptoms and offer potential diagnoses. This is particularly useful if you’ve never been diagnosed, have potentially been misdiagnosed, or there’s an additional diagnosis you’re experiencing. Being very specific about your symptoms can help make sure your doctors are on the right track.
  Due to the nature of the limited amount of time your treatment team has with you in the hospital, it’s best to follow up with an outside doctor to verify your diagnosis.
• Locked wards
  Unlike regular hospitals, your ability to come and go will be limited. Mental hospitals have locked wards to keep patients from leaving for their own safety. Visitor access will also be limited and are often confined to short specific time periods.
• Leaving can be difficult
  Once you’re admitted to a mental hospital, leaving on your own may or may not be an option. Some people are admitted involuntarily and they must go before a judge to determine how long they will be in the hospital. Even if you voluntarily admit yourself, if your treatment team believes that you are a danger to yourself you may find your admission no longer voluntary. Your best bet is to take advantage of your time to set yourself on a path to getting better.
• The length of your stay may vary
  Your length of stay in the mental hospital will depend on your diagnosis, how quickly you become safe to discharge, and unfortunately what your insurance will agree to pay for. You may only be there for a couple of days or you may be there for weeks. At my local mental hospital average stay is 4–7 days. Communicating closely with your doctor can help make sure you’re not in the hospital for too long or for not long enough. Unfortunately insurance is often a deciding factor, but if you’re honest with your doctor they can help fight for the treatment you need. Lying and pretending to improve faster than you really are can only risk you going back into crisis soon after discharge.
• Days may feel long but be scheduled
  Schedules are important for people with mental illness and mental hospitals know this. Meals, medications, and therapy will all be on a schedule, but between those times you might have a lot of time on your hands. Having your family members bring books or puzzles (if allowed) can help you pass some of this time. As can interacting with other patients.
• Other patients
  You’re not going to be the only patient during your visit. Some people will be in a place where they’re unable to interact appropriately, but most people will be struggling but otherwise open for conversation or maybe to play games. Some of the best support you can get from the mental hospital is from other people in the same situation.
• Trouble sleeping
  Long days can lead into long nights if you’re not able to sleep. Part of your illness may keep you from sleeping and you might have a noisy roommate or one unable to sleep themselves. Just being in a different environment can be disruptive to sleep as well. If you’re not sleeping, be sure to tell you doctor as there may be medication options to help you get the sleep you need. Also, try not to nap during the day as this can further disrupt sleeping.
• Therapy
  A good hospital won’t just offer meds, but they’ll offer therapy during your stay as well. Therapy can be group therapy, individual therapy, or both. Therapy gives you something constructive during your days and can help teach you coping mechanisms or talk through your experiences. Try to learn as much from these sessions as possible to prepare you for your future outside of the hospital.
• Planning for discharge
  A good hospital won’t just put you on meds and push you out the door. They’ll work with you to make a plan for the future. This includes ways to keep yourself safe upon discharge as well as helping you set up access to a treatment team if you don’t already have one. They may also set up meetings with you and your family to help address any concerns and ease the transition back into the real world.

In an acute crisis, a mental hospital can be the best place for your health and safety. Negative stereotypes can keep people from using this very valuable resource in times of need but knowing the realities can help demystify the process and help you should you ever need to go.