Imagine if a doctor told you or someone you know, "My depression is a bit severe, so let's stay in the hospital for treatment." You would suddenly feel a great sense of fear, shock, and shame, wouldn't you? "Will people think I'm crazy?", "What will I do now?", "Will I never be able to come home again if I go to the hospital?" Many questions might come to mind. This is a fear that many people in our society have. But it's really not something to be afraid of. Hospitalization is just another treatment method that can help you recover.
Is depression really a serious enough illness to require hospitalization?
First, understand this. Depression is not a weakness of the mind or a figment of the imagination. It is a real medical condition that needs to be treated, just like diabetes or heart disease. About 90 out of 100 people with depression can be treated at home (on an outpatient basis). That means you can see a doctor, take the prescribed medication on time, and follow the instructions given to you.
However, sometimes the effects of depression can be very severe. Or they can become treatment-resistant. In such cases, it is safest and best to stay in the hospital for a few days and receive treatment.
Think about it, if you break your leg, you go to the hospital, right? The same goes for when you have a mental illness, going to the hospital to get the intensive care it needs. It's not something to be ashamed of, it's a good decision to think about yourself.
Hospitalization doesn't mean putting you in a "madhouse." It means providing you with a safe, calm environment where you can get away from the pressures and everyday problems of life and do what you need to recover . Doctors can then monitor you closely and quickly decide what treatment is right for you.
Who is in such a bad state that they need to be hospitalized?
Not everyone with depression needs to be hospitalized, but a doctor may recommend hospitalization in the following cases:
| When the need arises | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| For those at risk of harming themselves or others | This is the main and most common reason. When depression is severe, you may have thoughts of suicide. Or you may have thoughts of harming others. A hospital is the safest place to stay to control these thoughts and recover. |
| For those who are too weak to even do daily tasks | Sometimes, depression can make a person so disabled that they are unable to perform even basic tasks such as eating, drinking, bathing, or changing clothes. In such cases, the necessary care and attention is provided in a hospital. |
| Those who need monitoring when starting a new medication | Sometimes your doctor may decide to change the type of medication you are taking or fine-tune the dosage. In such cases, it is important to closely monitor how the new medication affects your body. This can be done exactly that in the hospital. |
| For those who need special treatment that can only be done in a hospital | Some specialized treatments, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), are usually performed in a hospital setting. Hospitalization is essential because it requires anesthesia and monitoring of your condition after treatment. |
What are my rights when hospitalized?
This is a problem that many people have. Hospitalization can occur in two main ways.
1. Voluntary Admission: This means that you are admitted to the hospital of your own free will and understanding. This is what happens most of the time.
2. Involuntary Admission: This happens very rarely. It only happens if a doctor determines that you are at immediate risk of harming yourself or others . In such cases, the law allows you to be admitted to the hospital for the purpose of protecting yourself, even if you don't want to.
Before you are admitted to the hospital, a doctor will examine you carefully. Your family can also give the doctors information about your behavior and symptoms. This will help them make a decision.
The length of your hospital stay will depend on how quickly you recover. Once the medical team is confident that your condition is stable and out of danger, you will be sent home.
What can you expect at the hospital?
Your time in the hospital may be a little uncomfortable for you, but remember, everything is done for your safety and the safety of other patients.
- Safety rules: The doors to your ward may be locked. The staff may confiscate any sharp objects you have, such as razors, scissors, glass bottles, as well as shoelaces and belts. This is to prevent you from harming yourself. You may also be restricted from using things like phones and laptops.
- Daily schedule: You may have a specific schedule for your day. This means specific times for eating, taking medication, and attending treatments.
- Medical care: A psychiatrist or medical officer will visit you daily. These visits may be brief.
- Group Therapy: Rather than individual psychotherapy in a hospital setting, group therapy is more common. This involves meeting with other people who are experiencing the same problems as you and talking about things like stress management, medication, and coping strategies.
Although these rules may seem a bit harsh, remember that this is all for your own good. The main goal of hospitalization is to get you to a stable and safe state, ready to go home and continue your treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Hospitalization for depression is not a lifelong commitment. It is just a short-term, intensive treatment .
- This is necessary when the depression is very severe, especially when there is a risk of harming oneself or others .
- The sole purpose of hospitalization is to keep you safe, stable , and ready to continue treatment at home.
- Asking for help at a time like this and agreeing to be hospitalized is not a sign of weakness, it is a strong decision made to think about one's life.
- If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed by depression or having thoughts of harming themselves, please see a doctor immediately . It's the best thing you can do.
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