Inpatient Psych refers to psychiatric assessment, treatment, and medication stabilization in a hospital setting.
Acute psychiatric care in a hospital setting which includes a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, mental health professionals, and nurses with the goal of providing patients a protective environment while developing a treatment plan and medication stabilization, if needed. While in an Inpatient Psych Unit, patients are treated by a psychiatrist, psychiatrically trained nurses, and clinicians in both a one-on-one and group setting (Singh & Kaur, 2017).
If you or a family member need to be admitted to Inpatient Psych, the following are some questions you may want to ask:
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Has the person been professionally evaluated? By whom? What are the person’s qualifications/ title? Will this person continue to treat the patient? Will the patient be seen by this professional on a regular basis?
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What was the specific diagnosis given to the patient after their evaluation?
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If the patient has other medical issues, will he/she receive treatment for these problems as well?
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Will a family member be able to discuss treatment with the doctor or therapist? When? How often?
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When can family members visit? For how long?
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Will the patient be allowed to receive phone calls?
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Will the patient have a daily schedule of activities or treatments?
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Is group therapy or individual therapy part of the treatment plan?
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What clothes should the patient bring?
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How long will the patient be at the facility, and who will make this decision?
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Who will make the evaluation for discharging the patient?
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What can we expect when the patient is discharged? Plan?
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Who will provide follow up medication management?
Mental health problems may be related to excessive stress due to a particular situation or series of events. As with cancer, diabetes and heart disease, mental illnesses are often physical as well as emotional and psychological. Mental illnesses may be caused by a reaction to environmental stresses, genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, or a combination of these. With proper care and treatment many individuals learn to cope or recover from a mental illness or emotional disorder (Recognizing Warning Signs and How to Cope, n.d.).
Dr. Justin Capote Interview
Justin Capote, MD, is Board Certified in both adult psychiatry and consultation-liaison psychiatry and was appointed to the American Health Council Board of Physicians for his outstanding contributions to improving mental health. Dr. Capote has extensive experience working in hospital, community, and emergency room settings. He has expertise in treating conditions related to medication overuse and misuse, withdrawal syndromes, age-related comorbidities, and common psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety, anger, and depression. Dr. Capote is a graduate of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and a member of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.
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Click the links below to find out more about Inpatient Psychiatric treatment.