Mental wellness plays a huge role in our day-to-day lives, and teens struggling with mental illness need help just as adults do. Teens are still at the age where their brains are developing; having a mental crisis can significantly inhibit development if not treated. But, it may leave you to wonder, what type of treatment is best for my teen? There are different treatment options available to teens and their families, and the key is to find the one that fits your needs the most. Whether your teen is struggling with anxiety, depression, or another type of mood disorder, this article is here to help you keep informed of the choices you have for treatment. Below we will look at inpatient treatment vs. outpatient treatment to find which one is best for your teen.
What types of mental health problems require treatment?
Many times, people struggle with their mental wellness and need some assistance, and teens are no exception. There are many types of mental illness, from anxiety and depression to mood disorders such as bipolar. Treatment is the best way to help cope with these mental health issues and help your teen feel better and be more productive. In addition, many mental disorders can cause other problems such as substance use, so it is important to get your teen the treatment they need.
What is outpatient therapy?
Outpatient treatment is often referred to as entry-level care for your teen. Intensive outpatient therapy (IOP) is the least immersive and least intense option for any teen struggling with mental illness. However, a few key things will make a provider recommend outpatient therapy. Some of these things include diagnosing a mental illness and the diagnosis affecting or disrupting their day-to-day activities.
How does outpatient therapy work?
The first step to outpatient therapy is receiving a referral from your doctor. This referral gives you access to a licensed mental health professional for teen and adolescent care. Your teen may be assigned to not just a therapist but also a psychiatrist if medication is needed. They will see the therapist more regularly than the psychiatrist. Generally, your teen will start to see a therapist twice a week. Once they see improvement, this will step down to once a week before being brought down to every other week. In times of high stress, they may need to see the therapist more often. If this treatment plan doesn’t work, the counselor may opt for more intensive care.
What is inpatient therapy?
The most significant difference between outpatient treatment and inpatient treatment is that inpatient treatment will give your teen the round-the-clock care they need for more intense mental illness issues. Suppose the therapist has recommended this treatment plan. In that case, it is most likely because the mental health diagnosis has become very disruptive to their everyday life, and it has prevented them from doing the things they love, from school to sports. Inpatient therapy can be a scary thought, but it is here for teens to be able to solely focus on their mental health and recovery without any outside influences or stressors.
How does inpatient therapy work?
For inpatient therapy, the doctor will give a referral to a treatment facility that you will then take your teen to. At the treatment facility, clinicians will make a complete diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for you and your teen. Your teen will then live at the treatment facility, most of the time around two weeks, and participate in different activities such as individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management. This type of care gives your teen a stress-free environment to recover and develop healthy coping skills.
Get your teen the help they need.
The most significant step you can take in your mental health journey is admitting you need help, and when your teen comes to you and shares it with you, it is essential to get them the help they need. These two options are great for any teen who needs help with their mental wellness.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.