What to Expect in a Mental Health Residential Treatment Center

Mental issues today are many and varied. And so is the profile of a typical patient. There isn't one because even children can be diagnosed with depression and conditions such as dementia and bipolar mood swings can be diagnosed in people of varying ages.

And a spin-off from so many of the mental health problems in people is the family member affected by the condition. A teen with depression for example can mean a large amount of stress for his or her worrying parents. In fact it is not uncommon for family members of a patient with mental health problems to seek medical assistance for the stress they are suffering worrying about their loved one.

Before going to your mental health residential treatment center, you would do well to visit your family doctor and explain your situation to him or her. GPs are well-known for the vast list of contacts in relevant areas of mental health and their advice is most likely to be helpful. If they can't recommend a specialist, and that would be very rare, they will know someone who can. Don't bypass your family doctor.

But sooner or later you will at least investigate your local residential treatment center for those with mental health conditions. They are not all the same but most will have a number of specialists including the following: a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a psychiatric nurse, an occupational therapist and a social worker. Each has a different role to play and it will help you to know what each does and for which type of condition.

A psychiatrist is able to prescribe drugs for your mental health condition. Psychiatrists are trained in assessing various types of mental illness and will even have a patient admitted to hospital if they think such a move is necessary.

A psychologist works more on relationships and how a person gets on within a family structure. They can run therapy sessions but do not prescribe drugs.

Some people with a mental health condition find they are unable or less able to perform certain tasks and if so, then an occupational therapist can come to your home, assess your needs and set up a program where you receive whatever assistance is required.

Visiting nurses are common particularly with elderly patients and a psychiatric nurse visits a person with a mental health condition and gives them whatever advice and assistance they can. It might be because the patient has difficulty in making the trip to the mental health treatment center.

Finally a social worker can help in a number of ways such as advising which form of community or local government support services are available.

Mental health problems can be depressing in themselves for both the patient and their family. But you should understand that there is a great deal of support in your community and, in short, help is at hand. Take heart from the range of resources and take advantage of the people and services they provide.

If you need tips and advice about residential treatment programs visit Adolescent Residential Treatment or to get help now click here.