Mental health treatment is a life-saving endeavor, and ending the process too early is dangerous. However, some people may leave residential treatment because they feel frustrated and defeated, or like they aren’t progressing as fast as they expected. It is also possible they did not want to be there and were admitted under dire circumstances. In this case, patients may be resistant to staying consistent with their treatment program. These snap decisions are often regretted by those who would have truly benefited from professional care.
What to Expect with Mental Health Treatment Programs
The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) reports that 1 in 5 adults experience mental health disorders, and 1 in 20 are affected at a serious level. Not only that, 1 in 6 children and young adults (ages 6-17) also face mental health challenges. It is critical to have treatment centers that focus on identifying and healing the symptoms so many Americans experience.
Finding the best fit for mental health treatment is transformational. There are varying levels of care to suit the immediate and long-term needs of each individual. Patient needs are evaluated and discussed to determine if they would benefit most from residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient or virtual outpatient care.
During treatment, patients learn about their symptoms and gain skills to help manage their wellbeing throughout their life. Medication may be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and other therapeutic practices including:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Motivational interviewing
- Nutrition education
- Positive coping mechanisms
- Relapse prevention techniques
- Yoga
- Self-care practices
- Meditation and mindfulness
- Strengthening general life skills
Leaving any of these practices before being released can negatively affect the thoughts, emotions, actions and even physicality of patients.
What are the risks of leaving treatment early?
There are many reasons not to quit treatment before it is complete. Each person’s experience is unique, but there are certain factors that should be taken into consideration prior to checking out. Here are the top three risks associated with leaving early.
Missed Medication
The side effects of missing medication dosages or stopping medication abruptly are very serious and can be fatal. If medication has been prescribed to help patients manage their mental health conditions, it is very important that it be taken exactly as intended. Stopping altogether can put patients in a state of withdrawal and cause them to act in ways they would not otherwise.
Loss of Support System
Loneliness is a common feeling when struggling with mental health, and self-isolation makes it worse. With therapeutic practices, patients receive support from qualified professionals. In group sessions, they feel less alone when connecting through the stories of others. Whether it’s socializing or taking group classes together, being around other people is uplifting. By leaving treatment early, patients miss out on the anchoring presence of a strong support system with people who truly understand them and relate to what they’re going through.
Lack of Coping Skills
One of the main skills patients learn during treatment is how to cope with life’s challenges. Knowing how to respond to external stimuli is essential for managing stress, anxiety, sadness and triggers before they become too big to handle alone. If patients leave treatment before learning how to implement healthy coping mechanisms into their daily lives, they are more likely to backslide into old harmful habits and ways of thinking. Patients who leave early are more likely to return for more intensive or longer treatment.
Where can you find a successful treatment program?
The benefits of mental health treatment are incredible. After all, mental health is health—period. It affects everything we think, feel and do. Physical symptoms like fatigue, nausea, headaches, chronic pain and accidents can occur from depression, anxiety and trauma. Relationships are greatly affected by mental health disorders. That’s why it’s so important to receive helpful, supportive treatment that actually works.
For over 25 years, Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program has been helping thousands of patients overcome their mental health challenges and rebuild confidence in themselves. We look past the diagnosis to treat the person. We reveal what’s possible for those with a history of trauma, depression, anxiety, self-harm, bipolar disorder, reactive attachment disorder, eating disorders and co-occurring disorders.
We offer teen, adult, gender affirmative and LGBTQIA+ inclusive programs throughout our levels of care. Through our Discovery ESTEEMTM system, we help patients understand their condition and empower them with the tools needed to create the fulfilling life they deserve.
Our outcomes are excellent, with the following results from exit surveys answered by patients who completed treatment at Discovery Mood & Anxiety in 2023:
- 99% say that they know how to handle unwanted symptoms.
- 97% say they feel hopeful about the future.
- 97% believe they have a purpose in life.
- 96% believe they can meet their personal goals using the techniques they learned.
- 95% say they know how to control their mental health symptoms.
- 92% can handle stress.
- 90% believe they can handle whatever happens in life.
Upon completing treatment, you’ll automatically have free access to Discovery365™ — a virtual safety net you can rely on during the first year in recovery. You are not alone on your journey to improve your well-being! Hope, help and healing are here, and so is a brighter future. Please reach out to one of our caring professionals so we can begin your recovery together in a non-judgmental, supportive environment.
Contact us today!
Resources and related reading:
https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers/
https://discoverymood.com/for-patients/do-i-need-treatment/
https://discoverymood.com/blog/is-anxiety-a-disorder/
https://centerfordiscovery.com/blog/what-eating-disorder-recovery-means-to-me/