Psychiatric Hospitalization for Troubled Teens

Psychiatric Hospitalization for Troubled Teens Theories Behavioral Psychology Print Psychiatric Hospitalization for Troubled Teens By Amy Morin, LCSW facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our editorial policy Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on September 20, 2019 Tetra Images/Getty Images   More in Theories Behavioral Psychology Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology Psychiatric hospitals provide the highest level of treatment available to teens and are intended for the short-term stabilization of serious mental health issues. A hospital setting provides  a locked environment with constant clinical supervision to ensure their safety.   When Is a Psychiatric Hospital Needed? Similar to a hospital for physical problems, a psychiatric hospital is set up to deal with mood or behavioral changes that come on suddenly and require intense structure and intervention to keep the teen safe. Situations Requiring Hospitalization Suicide attempt Threatening someone with a weaponHallucinationsUncontrollable physical rage Manic episodes Teens require different treatment from adults. So its important for teens to be placed on an adolescent unit where the ?staff is trained in dealing with younger patients. Transporting Troubled Teens to Treatment Treatment in an Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital The two most important things to know about psychiatric hospitals are:  The treatment is fast-paced and intense.  The length of stay will be very short, usually several days. Hospitals for mental health issues are intended to thoroughly evaluate the crisis, act quickly to stabilize the teen and develop a plan for continued care. A comprehensive evaluation begins at the time of admission and is completed by interviewing the teen, family members and mental health or school professionals who have worked with the teen and can provide relevant information.  This assessment considers the prior history of problems in mood or behavior, use of drugs or alcohol, previous treatment, physical illness or symptoms, and family history of mental illness. Hospitals use a treatment team approach with an extensive staff of professionally trained personnel. Team members may include psychiatrists, psychologists, substance abuse counselors, therapists, social workers, nurses, activity therapists, teachers and more. Professionals from each discipline evaluate the teen and make recommendations for treatment both in the hospital and after discharge.   While in the hospital teens participate in numerous daily structured activities to include: Psychological testingIndividual therapy  Group therapy with other hospitalized teensAcademic programs to help keep up with schoolOccupational, recreational and art therapies  Family therapy focused on immediate concerns and next stepsMulti-family groups - many hospitals suggest families continue in these groups as part of aftercare Psychological Evaluations for Troubled Teens Discharge Planning Discharge planning  refers to specific plans made for the aftercare or follow-up treatment the teen will participate in upon leaving the hospital. Depending on how well the teen responds to treatment in the hospital, follow-up programs will be recommended. Some teens may require residential treatment, while others may benefit from  day treatment. If medication and efforts at stabilization create significant changes then a lower level of care such as an alternative school or intensive outpatient therapy may be appropriate. Once the reasons for the crisis are identified and a teen is considered stable by the treating psychiatrist and hospital staff, a case manager  will work on the discharge plan.  A case manager works with parents on setting up aftercare services. Referrals to a therapist, psychiatrist, or other service providers will be made. Usually, a case manager will set up follow-up appointments to ensure that the teen remains healthy once shes discharged home. Sometimes, parents feel like a teen is being rushed out of the hospital. They fear their teen hasnt recovered enough or they worry that safety issues arent completely resolved. Its important to make sure you have a clear understanding of your teens discharge instructions; and follow-up with ongoing service providers to keep your teen mentally healthy. Unfortunately, short stays are the reality of psychiatric hospitals. They are expensive to operate and are intended to assess the teen, stabilize the crisis and provide expertise in helping transition the teen into a less intensive program. Support Groups for Parents of Troubled Teens