A Guide to Psychotherapy Treatments

Mental health problems differ from one patient to another. Rather than use a one-size-fits-all approach, psychiatrists tailor the mental health treatment to the individual. If you are suffering from mental health problems, the psychiatrist may recommend the following psychiatry treatment options.

Mental Health Treatment Methods

Outpatient Treatment 

In outpatient psychiatry treatment, the patient does not reside at a medical facility. Instead, individuals have to visit the treatment center or a therapy office on specific days. This approach is ideal for a patient suffering from mild symptoms with a solid support system. 

Inpatient Treatment 

Inpatient psychiatry treatment occurs in a residential facility. Thus, the patient is usually under all-around-the-clock supervision. This level of treatment is ideal for individuals who do not show progress from outpatient mental health interventions. Therefore, the facilities provide constant supervisions to deal with long-term symptoms. Inpatient facilities combine several approaches to mental health treatment, including counseling, medication, and recreational therapies. Notably, some facilities offer executive treatment with luxury amenities. 

Psychiatric Hospitalization

In psychiatric hospitalization, the patient gets admitted to a psychiatric facility. Such facilities include private or state psychiatric hospitals. Typically, the psychiatrist will only recommend hospitalization for severe mental health issues. For instance, patients can get admitted if they are delusional, suicidal, homicidal, and cannot care for themselves. In a psychiatric hospital, the treatment includes stabilization, medication, nutrition, and all-day monitoring. Notably, one may enter a psychiatric hospital voluntarily or involuntarily. 

Mental Health Treatment Approaches 

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is an approach for treating mental health disorders through verbal and psychological techniques. The following are the primary psychotherapy therapies: 

  • Psychoanalysis or psychodynamic therapy – aims to change problematic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors by exploring the unconscious meaning 
  • Behavior therapy – focuses on how what we learn leads to normal or abnormal behavior 
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy – aims at changing how people think to alter their feelings and behaviors 
  • Humanistic therapy – aims to teach people to make rational choices and live the life they desire 

Notably, psychotherapy treatment can also use an integrative approach by blending the listed techniques for tailored treatment. 

Medication

Mental illness medication helps to tone down paralyzing anxiety, boost moods, and act as a stabilizer. The most popular drugs are antidepressants such as selective serotine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Then, there are anti-anxiety such as benzodiazepines that reduce fear, panic, and worry. Also, stimulants enhance attention and energy while antipsychotics relieve symptoms of delusion and hallucinations. However, such drugs have side effects and require a medical prescription. 

Mental illness has a paralyzing effect on your normal functioning. Seek psychiatry services to manage and treat mental health conditions and enjoy an improved quality of life. 


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