Mental illness, despite having a negative stigma, is common. It is estimated that as many as one in four individuals meet the diagnostic criteria for one or more mental disorders at some point in their lives. Some mental disorders require only mild or moderate treatment and do not require an individual to seek 24-hour inpatient care from a residential treatment facility. Some mental disorders, however, are more serious, and some individuals may require a stay in a residential treatment facility at some point.
Length of Stay
The length of residential treatment varies depending on the individual disorder and the individual facility providing the treatment. Some disorders, for instance, such as bipolar disorder, may require a stay up to three to six months because it can take up to that long for the professionals to find the right drug and dosage for the individual's treatment. Although most residential facilities use information about the disorder to develop average treatment lengths, each facility may vary the length of their programs to be in accordance with their treatment philosophies.
Insurance
Insurance may or may not pay for care in a residential treatment facility. Often coverage depends on the disorder. For instance, many cover bipolar treatment stays because bipolar disorder has been shown to be related to brain chemistry, but many do not cover eating disorder treatment because there still is not conclusive evidence as to the exact cause of disordered eating. Even when insurance does pay, it often does not pay enough to cover the entire cost, and out-of-pocket payments may be necessary--the exact amount varies depending on the insurance policy, the specific care received at a specific facility and how long the patient stays in the facility.
Types of Treatments
Residential treatment usually involves a combination of physical and mental treatments. For instance, an individual with an anxiety disorder may be prescribed anti-anxiety medications but, at the same time, have regular cognitive behavioral therapy sessions with a therapist. Some facilities focus on treatments that are more medicinal, while others focus more on the holistic types of treatments such as art therapy.
Rules
Residential treatment often involves stringent rules for residents. For instance, patients may be required to eat only in the cafeteria. Strict rules allow the staff to monitor medications and behaviors and to avoid potential setbacks in treatments and conflicts among residents. Additionally, some facilities are considered "locked" facilities, which means that visitors need to be approved and that residents cannot come and go from room to room or from the facility as they please. Some people who enter a residential treatment facility thus feel very confined.
Effectiveness
A stay in a residential treatment facility tends to yield better results when individuals are actively engaged in their treatment. Additionally, effectiveness is increased when the stay in the facility is followed by a transition into a good support system such as family and friends who can help to monitor medication continuance.
