Why You Shouldn’t Leave Mental Health Treatment Early
Entering treatment for a mental health disorder is an important decision. At first, it might feel overwhelming, but it’s really an opportunity to take control and change your own life. You deserve to be happy, to achieve success, and to build healthy relationships. It’s time to discover the you within you –– the you that’s been there all along.
Believe it or not, you’ve always had the strength within yourself to take control of your mental health. You are not powerless! Your true self wants to be nourished and cared for so that you can live your most authentic life. It all begins with that first brave step –– the choice to begin life-saving treatment.
What are the benefits of staying through the duration of treatment?
It takes strength to stay in treatment and see it through until the end. The rewards are well worth the effort! We are proud to offer a unique approach to treating mood and anxiety disorders.
The Discovery ESTEEM System is a multidimensional, comprehensive plan that incorporates several techniques. Examples include evidence-based treatment, various types of therapy, physical activity, and opportunities for the mind and body to rest (like meditation).
When patients stay through to the end of their treatment with us, the results are overwhelmingly positive.
- 92% can handle stress
- 95% believe they can handle what happens in life and know how to control their mental health symptoms
- 96% believe they can meet their personal goals
- 97% feel hopeful about the future and are willing to ask for help
There is so much to be gained from treatment, and the benefits far outweigh the costs of quitting! Here are the top benefits of sticking with your treatment plan.
Since treatment plans are based on factors unique to each person, there is no standard length of stay for recovery. However, our patients completed self-assessments upon arrival and at the time of discharge. The results confirmed that longer treatment durations resulted in vast improvements from start to finish. The need for sustained care and the importance of tailored care approaches both play key roles in effective mental health recovery.
Building Community
Loneliness is common when struggling with mental health. Self-isolation makes it worse. During treatment though, you become part of a vibrant community. Whether you’re socializing or taking group classes, being around other people is uplifting. When you’re with us, you’re never alone on your self-improvement journey.
From the moment you walk through our doors, you will be comforted by our empathetic care team. Many of us have been where you are and understand how you feel when you arrive. We are here to help, not judge.
You’ll participate in virtual and/or in-person group sessions with like-minded folks and feel less alone when connecting through the stories of others. Get ready to make lasting connections and receive support from peers going through similar experiences. Some may even become your friends for life. Our alumni groups are a wonderful way to stay connected after treatment is complete.
Creating a New Routine
During treatment, you’ll map out daily routines to help you stay on track when you return to your daily life. This will include new activities like exploring nature, painting, reading, or playing an instrument. You’ll also focus on self-care practices like exercise, nutrition and meal planning, meditation, therapy, setting boundaries, and making time for supportive loved ones.
You’ll also set new goals for yourself and map out a plan for how to get there. Focusing on the future you can create for yourself is wonderful motivation. Visualizing where you want to be in the next day, week, month or year will help you plot a course of action and stick to it. Take it one day at a time with your bright future in mind.
Learning Coping Skills
Knowing how to respond to external stimuli is essential for managing stress, anxiety, sadness and triggers before they become too big to handle alone. That’s why one of the main skills you’ll learn during treatment is how to cope with life’s challenges. We work with you to identify triggers specific to your life and start using healthy coping skills that really work.
Learning how to use coping skills that center your mind and body will help you deal with daily stressors. We work with you individually to understand which coping mechanisms are most helpful for you personally. Outlets we encourage are group fitness classes, personal training, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, journaling, swimming, hiking and being in nature.
Whatever your recovery plan includes, you can expect to build a strong foundation for a healthy mind, body and spirit that sticks with you when you return to your daily life.
What are the risks of leaving treatment early?
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 critical level. Not only that, 1 in 6 children and young adults (ages 6-17) also face mental health challenges.
That’s why it’s critical to have treatment centers that focus on identifying and healing the symptoms so many adults, adolescents and children experience. It is vital to stay through treatment to reduce the chances of suicidal tendencies and readmission. The above statistics speak volumes. It’s clear that whatever you’re feeling, you’re not alone.
If you leave treatment before learning how to implement healthy coping mechanisms into your daily life, you will be more easily triggered by life circumstances. You are likely to experience more anxiety, mood swings and depression. This is especially true if you abruptly stop taking prescribed medication.
The side effects of missing medication dosages or stopping medication abruptly are very serious and can be fatal. If medications have been prescribed to help you manage one or more mental health conditions, it is very important that you take them exactly as intended. Otherwise, your thoughts, emotions, actions and physicality will suffer.
You’ll also miss out on the anchoring presence of a strong support system with people who truly understand and relate to what you’re going through. Leaving the cocoon of community too soon is a slippery slope. It is absolutely worth it to continue individual, group and family therapy with your experienced care team!
What can I do to take care of myself now?
Make 2025 the year you uncover your true self. Invest in yourself now for the rest of your life by starting effective mental health treatment. You have the power within yourself to change your life and improve relationships with family and friends.
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 result from untreated trauma. Mental health disorders also greatly affect relationships. That’s why it’s so important to receive complete 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, eating disorders, reactive attachment disorder, and co-occurring disorders.
We offer teen, adult, gender affirmative and LGBTQIA+ inclusive programs throughout our levels of care. Through the ESTEEM SystemTM, we help patients understand their condition and empower them with the tools needed to create the fulfilling life they deserve. Our virtual care programming is a flexible option you may find helpful as well.
Plus, once you complete treatment, you’ll have unlimited free access for one year to a unique app only offered by us. Discovery365™ is a 16-point interactive assessment and check-in program. With this revolutionary virtual safety net, we use breakthrough, proprietary technology to intervene when you need additional support during the most crucial time in recovery.
You’re never alone on your journey to improve your well-being! We have helped thousands of patients overcome their mental health challenges and rebuild confidence in themselves. Reach out to our knowledgeable admissions counselors today so we can begin your lasting recovery together in an encouraging 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/