Expected length of stay is a common concern among people who are seeking depression treatment. If you have particularly severe symptoms, you may want to know how long is inpatient treatment for depression – and what happens after you complete your time at this level?
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What Happens in Inpatient Depression Treatment?
Inpatient treatment is typically a short-term experience for people who are in the midst of a mental health crisis. The general goal at the inpatient level is to usually to help the patient achieve the level of stabilization that will enable them to transfer to a less restrictive program or return home.
Considering the severity of the symptoms that are commonly addressed via inpatient treatment, patient safety is also of prime concern at this level.
Depending on each patient’s needs, their inpatient depression treatment may include:
- Prescription medication
- Individual and/or group psychotherapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (CBT)
- EMDR and other trauma-focused therapies
- Holistic therapies
- Family therapy and support
- Discharge planning
Research has shown that inpatient care can be a highly beneficial option. An October 2019 study in the journal Comprehensive Psychiatry determined that inpatient treatment “reduces depression significantly at discharge and follow-up,” with psychotherapy appearing to play a more significant role than antidepressants.
How Long Is Inpatient Treatment for Depression?
Ideally, the amount of time that a person remains in an inpatient program will be determined by two factors:
- The progress they’ve made since they entered treatment
- The type and intensity of their continued needs
Since these factors can differ significantly from one person to another, there’s no exact answer to the question of how long is inpatient treatment for depression.
However, given the general parameters of inpatient care, a typical length of stay will likely range from two to 10 days.
Is Inpatient Treatment Right for You?
The best way to determine if you need inpatient treatment for depression is to be assessed by a qualified mental health professional. The expert who conducts your assessment can evaluate the intensity of your symptoms, discuss how these symptoms have impaired your ability to function, and recommend the most appropriate treatment options for you.
Symptom severity
While every center has its own admissions policies, inpatient treatment may be right for you if you meet criteria such as:
- You’re unable to care for yourself due to the intensity of your symptoms
- You are at elevated risk of self-harm or suicide
- You have been engaging in self-defeating behaviors such as substance use as a means of coping with your symptoms
- The challenges you’ve been experiencing can’t be adequately addressed at a lower level of care
- You can benefit from round-the-clock monitoring and supervision
Diagnostic criteria
The purpose of an assessment isn’t solely to evaluate the severity of your symptoms. It’s also to identify which disorder has been causing these symptoms. For example, though profound sadness and low energy can be symptomatic of a depressive disorder, they may also be related to an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Determining which condition you have is an important part of developing an effective personalized treatment plan. In the U.S., clinicians usually refer to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) when making these types of determinations.
For major depressive disorder (MDD), which is the most common form of depression, the DSM-5 criteria includes:
- Low mood most of the day, nearly every day
- Diminished interest in – or inability to experience pleasure from – most activities on most days
- Significant unintentional weight loss
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)
- Restlessness or delayed physical responsiveness
- Persistent fatigue or exhaustion
- Ongoing feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
- Difficulty focusing, concentrating, and making decisions
- Recurrent thoughts of death and dying, which may include suicidal behaviors
To be accurately diagnosed with MDD, a person must experience at least five of these symptoms for at least two consecutive weeks.
Other depressive disorders in the DSM-5 include:
- Persistent depressive disorder – Symptoms persist for at least two years, though not always at the level of MDD and with limited symptom-free periods
- Postpartum depression – Symptoms occur while pregnant or shortly after giving birth, and may include an inability to bond with the baby or even thoughts of harming the infant
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – Symptoms arise only at a certain time of year, usually during winter months
What Happens After Inpatient Depression Treatment?
Inpatient depression treatment can be a source of essential support to people who are in crisis. But achieving stabilization doesn’t mean that the underlying problem has been resolved.
In many cases, the ideal next step for patients who have completed inpatient treatment is to transfer to a lower level of care. Depending on each person’s unique circumstances, their options for follow-on or step-down treatment may include:
- Residential treatment: Full days of treatment featuring multiple forms of therapy and support services, along with round-the-clock supervision, with a longer stay than inpatient care (potentially a month or more)
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP): Full days of treatment without a residential component, with participants typically attending sessions six hours per day, five to seven days per week
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP): Partial days of treatment, usually about three hours per day, two to five days per week
- Outpatient therapy: Individual or group sessions, scheduled weekly, monthly, or at whatever other frequency works best for the patient
At these levels, patients have the additional time and guidance they need to identify the root causes of their depression, learn to better manage their symptoms, and make the lifestyle changes that will support their continued progress in the months and years to come.
Find Treatment for Depression in Atlanta
North Atlanta Behavioral Health is a trusted provider of customized outpatient treatment for adults whose lives have been disrupted by depressive disorders, other mental health conditions, and co-occurring addictions.
When you choose outpatient rehab in Atlanta, GA, you may receive care at the partial hospitalization and/or intensive outpatient levels. A member of our team will be happy to discuss the features and benefits of each option with you so that you can make the most informed decision about your treatment.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
