The hospital

There are unfortunately many myths and prejudices about being admitted to hospital for psychiatric care. Most of these myths date back to the days when psychiatric hospitals were feared institutions. Conditions in psychiatric units are much better now; these days you are likely to be looked after in a one- or two-bedroomed facility in pleasant surroundings.

Who is admitted?

Your doctor or a specialist can treat most types of depression. But in some cases your depression will get worse and it may be necessary to admit you into psychiatric care.

Usually admission to hospital is recommended for patients who pose a serious threat to their own lives or the lives of others.

Treatment with antidepressants can prove problematic if you have a serious physical illness and you will therefore need to be put under close observation. This will be possible only if you are admitted. During your time in hospital both of your illnesses can be observed and treated at the same time. If you are taking several different types of medication, access to expertise on any problems that this may cause will be important.

Acute treatment

When you have severe depression, one of the benefits of a hospital admission is that you will be relieved of responsibilities and tasks that you are unable to perform, e.g:

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

When you are admitted to a psychiatric ward, you will be examined and treated by a multidisciplinary team. The treatment may involve:

 • 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 level of physical health and function
 • Social advice, input from social workers
 • Treatment with medicine
 • Psychoeducational training and appropriate therapy
 • ECT treatment (in severe cases)