The hospital

TESS

There are unfortunately many myths and prejudices about being admitted to a psychiatric ward. However, most of these myths originate from the days of the old state hospitals.

Conditions on psychiatric wards are much improved these days. These days the physical environment is pleasant.

The treatment of depression has developed hugely over the past 30 years. Today, we have effective treatment methods at our disposal, which can heal or alleviate depression in the space of just a few weeks. 90% of patients who are confined with depression recover fully!

Who is confined?

General practitioners and psychiatrists can treat most patients with depression on an out-patient basis. In some cases, it will be necessary for patients with depression to receive treatment in the hospital.

It may, for example, be that you are having serious suicidal thoughts, or that you are suffering from a severe or psychotic depression. It may also be that you have a mild depression, but the treatment with antidepressants that you have received from your own doctor or psychiatrist is not having any effect. You may then also be admitted so that your treatment can be improved.

Another group which often needs to be confined consists of people with both depression and a serious physical illness. Treatment with antidepressants can cause problems for you if you have a serious physical illness. You will need close observation, and you will only be able to get that if you are confined. When you are admitted to hospital, both illnesses can be observed and treated at the same time.

Acute treatment

Many people find that just being confined helps.

You will, for example, be relieved of things which seemed to be insurmountable because of your depression. They can be ordinary activities such as:

• cooking
• caring for your children
• cleaning
• shopping
• work

When you are confined in a hospital, you will be examined and treated in a number of ways and it is rarely possible to do this outside a hospital. The treatment will cover the following important aspects:

• Observation to make an accurate diagnosis
• Care and protection from any self-destructive behaviour
• Exercise with a physiotherapist or occupational therapist to maintain a certain physical level of function
• Social advice
• Environmental therapy
• Treatment with medicine
• Psychoeducation and, possibly, psychotherapy
• ECT treatment (in severe cases)