Dealing with depression or watching someone you love struggle with the condition can feel incredibly isolating. However, you aren’t alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 21 million adults in the United States have experienced at least one major depressive episode [1]. It is a serious mental health condition that can make daily life hard to manage. It is also highly treatable with proper support.
If symptoms are severe, you might be wondering if you need inpatient treatment. For many people with depression, outpatient treatment is a suitable level of care. However, there are some situations in which more intensive treatment options are appropriate. Here we’ll discuss when to seek inpatient treatment for depression, how it differs from other levels of care and how to decide if it’s the right choice for you. We’ll also explore which depression treatment options are available once you complete an inpatient program and how to take the next step.
What Is Inpatient Treatment for Depression?
Inpatient treatment is 24/7 care provided in a psychiatric facility or hospital for people dealing with a severe depressive crisis. The goal is to stabilize their symptoms and keep them safe during a difficult time. Inpatient treatment is more medically intensive and shorter than residential treatment.
Many people choose to personally check themselves into a psychiatric hospital or inpatient program because they understand that they need more support for their symptoms. Involuntary commitment is different. It is a strict legal process that may be used as a last resort if someone refuses treatment and poses an immediate danger to themselves or others.
Do I Need Inpatient Treatment for Depression?
Depression exists on a spectrum. It affects people in different ways, and your symptoms may range from mild to severe. For many people, outpatient treatment or weekly therapy sessions combined with psychiatric medications may be a suitable choice. Other people may need more intensive care and support due to the severity of their symptoms or their personal circumstances. Choosing when to go to inpatient treatment for depression can feel daunting. If you’re unsure whether you need this level of care, here are some things to look out for:
You’re Experiencing Suicidal Thoughts or Have Made a Plan
There are differences between passive and active suicidal thoughts. Passive suicidal thoughts may include thinking about being dead or wishing you were not alive, although you have no plan to harm yourself. Active suicidal ideation involves planning or having a timeline. While both types of thoughts should be taken seriously and require professional evaluation, active planning requires immediate professional help.
If you or a loved one is experiencing severe depression or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is an immediate medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
Your Depression Has Stopped Responding to Outpatient Treatment
It can be discouraging to reach a plateau during outpatient treatment. Sometimes, symptoms may temporarily improve, but then return or become worse, even when you are closely following your treatment plan.
Treatment-resistant depression generally refers to depression that hasn’t improved after two adequate trials of antidepressant treatment [2]. It can be a clinical sign that you need a different or more intensive approach.
Inpatient treatment can provide you with a higher level of professional support. This care may allow for closer monitoring, more intensive evaluation and medication adjustments, if necessary.
You’re Unable To Care for Yourself
Extreme functional impairment can be a symptom of severe depression and not necessarily a lack of motivation [3]. In some cases, depression can make basic tasks feel impossible. If you are experiencing this level of depression you may:
- Stop taking medications
- Have trouble getting out of bed
- Stop reaching out to family and friends
- Stop showering or brushing your teeth
- Sleep most of the day or barely sleep at all
- Go days without eating or struggle to eat enough
- Struggle to go to work or school or lose a job because you can no longer function
Having a milder form of depression may mean you can “push through” your daily responsibilities or mask your symptoms. However, severe depression can cause you to have much more trouble meeting your basic needs.
You’re Experiencing Psychotic Symptoms Alongside Depression
Some people with severe depression may also experience psychosis. This is sometimes called depression with psychotic features, or psychotic depression. Symptoms can include hearing or seeing things that aren’t there or holding fixed beliefs that aren’t based in reality.
These symptoms make it much more difficult to treat depression [4]. Psychosis requires prompt psychiatric evaluation and may require a higher level of care.
You’re Engaging in Self-Harm
Self-harm and suicidal behavior are not necessarily the same thing. Self-harm can occur without suicidal intent and may be a way to attempt to regulate negative emotions [5].
It isn’t simply manipulative behavior or “attention-seeking.” It’s a sign of genuine emotional distress that deserves to be taken seriously.
Harming oneself is always risky since it can lead to accidental (or intentional) death or serious injuries. If you’re struggling with self-harm, inpatient treatment may be the right option to ensure your safety as you heal.
You’re Using Alcohol or Drugs To Cope
Many people struggling with depression symptoms may turn to substances like drugs or alcohol to cope [6]. What begins as an attempt to “self-medicate” or numb emotional pain can eventually become another issue that makes depression more difficult to treat. Substance use may worsen mood symptoms and can also interfere with your progress in outpatient treatment.
When determining whether you should go to inpatient treatment for depression, it’s important to be honest about your substance use. Addiction can complicate care for depression, which is why co-occurring disorder treatment is necessary so both issues can be addressed at the same time.
Explore Options for Depression Treatment
Reach out to our team to learn more about our residential and outpatient programs.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment for Depression: What's the Difference?
Mental health treatment exists on a continuum of care. It ranges from low-intensity preventative support to highly structured, around-the-clock medical stabilization. As your symptoms change, you can move to more or less intensive levels of care.
Level of Care | Structure | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Outpatient Therapy | Regular medication and/or therapy appointments while living at home or in the community | Mild to moderate symptoms that can be safely managed in a community setting |
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) | Treatment several times a week while living at home | People who need more support than outpatient therapy |
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) | Full-day treatment several days a week, without staying overnight at a treatment center | People who need intensive daily support but can safely live at home |
Inpatient Treatment | 24/7 psychiatric care in a hospital setting | A crisis that needs urgent stabilization or severe symptoms |
Residential Care | Live-in care in a structured, non-hospital setting | People who need more intensive structure and support, but are not experiencing a crisis |
There are differences between inpatient hospitalization and residential treatment programs that you should be aware of before choosing the right program for your needs. While inpatient care focuses on short-term, hospital-based treatment for crisis stabilization, residential treatment programs offer longer-term care in a home-like setting. If you’re unsure of which level of care is the best fit for you, talk to your doctor or get in touch with the team at a treatment center near you for an evaluation.
What Does Inpatient Treatment for Depression Actually Look Like?
When you first arrive, you’ll typically complete a comprehensive intake process that includes a psychiatric evaluation. The treatment team may ask about your symptoms, medical history, medications you take, safety concerns and what led you to seek inpatient care. This information helps them determine what level of support you need during your stay.
Your typical day may look something like this:
- Wake up and have breakfast while staff checks in with you and other patients.
- Attend group therapy to talk about depression, coping skills and how to manage stress.
- Receive psychiatric care to check symptoms and review medication.
- Meet one-on-one with your therapist to work on personal concerns and goals.
- Have lunch and connect with others.
- Engage in skill-building activities such as coping skills, mindfulness and stress management.
- Attend additional treatment sessions or have personal time.
- Eat dinner and continue following the daily routine.
- Have evening group sessions or activities.
- Wind down, take evening medications and prepare for bed.
During inpatient treatment, you’ll remain in close contact with the treatment team. There may be limits on phone use and what you can bring into the center.
Treatment programs use evidence-based treatment modalities to help treat severe depression. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). While CBT focuses on changing distorted thought patterns, DBT is used to teach emotional regulation, distress tolerance and mindfulness. Many therapists blend these techniques into a single treatment plan tailored to fit a client’s needs.
It’s important to remember that the goal of inpatient treatment is not to resolve your depression symptoms during your short stay. The immediate goal is to keep you safe, stabilize your symptoms, create a treatment plan and determine your next appropriate level of care.
How Long Does Inpatient Treatment for Depression Last?
How long you will stay in an inpatient treatment center depends heavily on your circumstances. You may stay for a few days or up to a couple of weeks. Several factors determine this length, including your symptoms, safety, response to treatment, discharge planning and insurance considerations. You should think of inpatient treatment as a stabilization phase rather than the entirety of your depression treatment program.
What Happens After: Continuing Your Depression Treatment
Though not everyone follows the same path on their treatment journey, a typical step-down plan may look like this:
- Inpatient stabilization
- Residential treatment or partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient therapy and/or psychiatry
Even if you feel better after your stay in an inpatient program, it’s important to continue treatment after you leave. Once discharged, you might transfer to a residential or partial hospitalization program (PHP).
Another possibility is to continue treatment in an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or to begin therapy or psychiatric care in your community. You may also have the option to enroll in a virtual IOP for mental health care. Your exact path will vary based on your individual needs.
How to Take the Next Step
If you are in a crisis, the next step will be seeking emergency care.
Need help?
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for immediate depression crisis support.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: You can also call 1-800-662-4357 for free, confidential help 24/7.
If you’re experiencing an immediate psychiatric emergency, you can go to the nearest emergency room. Tell the staff there, “I am having a psychiatric emergency related to depression and I need help.”
If it’s not an emergency and you already have a therapist or psychiatrist, contact them. Tell them how your symptoms have changed and ask them whether you should consider a higher level of care. You can also find information on treatment programs through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or the National Institute of Mental Health [7,8].
When you’re struggling with your mental health, a substance use disorder or both, Cornerstone Healing Center can help you determine whether you need inpatient treatment for depression and collaborate with you to coordinate next steps. Call our team to learn more about your options for depression treatment.
Final Thoughts
Knowing when to seek inpatient treatment for depression can be difficult. You don’t have to wait for a crisis to determine it’s time to get help. If your current level of care no longer matches what your symptoms require, talk with a healthcare professional about whether a higher level of care may be appropriate.
Seeking additional support with depression treatment may be the right clinical decision to help stabilize your symptoms and keep you safe. Verify your insurance and reach out to the team at Cornerstone Healing Center to explore which program is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check myself into a mental health facility?
To check into a mental health facility, contact your primary provider, psychiatrist, or therapist or go to a hospital emergency room. You can also call the facility’s intake center.
What's the difference between inpatient and residential treatment for depression?
Inpatient treatment for depression is short-term hospital care for stabilizing symptoms during a crisis. Residential treatment provides longer-term home-like care focused on recovery and skill development.
How do I help someone with depression who refuses treatment?
If a loved one pushes back against professional help, listen to their concerns. Encourage them to take small positive steps. An example might be scheduling a regular checkup instead of a mental health visit.
Does inpatient treatment for depression work?
Yes, inpatient treatment can help stabilize severe depression during a crisis. It isn’t intended to resolve depression completely during a short stay. The goal is to improve safety and stability and create a plan for ongoing treatment after discharge.
How long does inpatient treatment typically last?
The amount of time you will be there depends heavily on the scope and severity of your symptoms. Typically, your stay at an inpatient program may last anywhere from several days to a couple of weeks.
What should I bring if I'm admitted for inpatient depression treatment?
What you can bring varies by facility, so ask the admissions team for a packing list before you arrive. You may be asked to bring your photo ID, insurance card, and comfortable clothing. But always check first.
How do I seek treatment for depression if I don't have a therapist yet?
You can begin by contacting your primary care physician or by visiting SAMHSA’s treatment locator to find a local mental health clinic that can evaluate your symptoms and discuss your treatment options.
