Depression treatment centers are facilities that offer long-term care. People with chronic depression or those with additional mental health needs may need 24-7 support.
Before choosing a treatment center, it is important that an individual and their support system do adequate research to find one that provides the care they need. Treatment centers can vary in the type of care they offer, and inpatient or residential programs for depression almost always treat a number of other mental health conditions, for example, anxiety.
People should also check that the center is licensed and employs licensed healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and psychologists.
Additionally, they should familiarize themselves with the treatment program. Before choosing a center, they can call or visit the facility and meet the medical team who will be caring for them.
Read on to learn more about depression treatment centers.
A person with depression may already be attending regular therapy sessions. This is considered outpatient treatment.
If a person has persistent and severe depression, a doctor may recommend treatment at a depression rehabilitation facility.
For people with depression, inpatient facilities provide a safe and secure environment to begin or continue their recovery. Inpatient care means a person stays at the facility for the duration of their treatment. This gives them access to 24-hour support and care from a team of mental health professionals.
One significant benefit of a rehabilitation center is that it removes the day-to-day stresses of home or work, giving individuals more time and energy to focus on recovery.
Before a person begins their stay at a facility that offers treatment for depression, they may go through an admissions process. A staff member may ask questions about their life and symptoms and assess whether they could benefit from the program.
When an individual begins their stay at the treatment center, the medical team will run several psychiatric tests and evaluations. Sometimes, these can uncover an additional underlying condition a person never knew they had.
The medical team at the center may share the results with other healthcare professionals and the individual’s support system and will use this information to develop a person’s treatment plan.
These psychiatric assessments help doctors create a highly personalized treatment protocol. Usually, this will combine medication and therapy.
The types of therapy a depression treatment center offers depends on their resources and could include:
- group therapy
- individual therapy
- meditation
- family therapy
- art therapy
- equine therapy
- yoga
- dance
A doctor may recommend inpatient treatment for depression when a person has the following symptoms to a severe degree:
- insomnia
- visual or audible hallucinations
- feeling too exhausted to take of themselves or others
- thoughts of hurting themselves or others
In these cases, if a person’s depression is not responsive to outpatient treatment attempts, a doctor or mental health professional will refer them to a treatment center.
The two main differences between inpatient and outpatient therapy are that outpatient therapy is less intensive, and a person does not stay in the facility where they receive treatment.
Inpatient treatment
Inpatient treatment is the most involved form of care. It is suitable for people experiencing extreme psychological distress or mental health challenges. For example, they may be reporting suicidal thoughts or have symptoms of psychosis.
People can voluntarily seek help at an inpatient treatment center, or their doctor or a member of their support system can request care for them. Usually, a person will stay at a hospital or treatment center for a few days to weeks. In some cases, they may need inpatient treatment for months.
When a doctor feels a person is ready to leave inpatient care, they may recommend future treatment. This could be outpatient treatment at a day center or regular weekly psychotherapy appointments.
Outpatient treatment
When a person receives outpatient treatment, they attend scheduled appointments with a therapist, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
Typically, when someone is in outpatient treatment, they are able to manage their symptoms at home. A person may also attend outpatient therapy as a form of maintenance treatment after a stay at a treatment center for depression.
People may receive outpatient treatment when they are going through an acutely stressful or difficult time.
The resources a treatment center offers determine how much it costs to stay there.
For example, luxurious centers tend to be more expensive than others. However, while these upscale touches add a cost to a person’s stay, they are not a predictor of quality psychiatric care. This is why it is important to research the center and its staff.
Insurance companies
Depression treatment centers provide 24-7 care for people with severe depression. A person may voluntarily request treatment as an inpatient, or a doctor may recommend it.
Although each facility varies, treatment approaches usually include medication and several different types of therapy.
A person’s medical insurance