Residential vs Inpatient Treatment for Teens: Knowing the Key Differences

When your teen needs mental health treatment, you want to address their needs as quickly as possible. However, some decisions must be made in advance. For example, you must decide which type of treatment is best.

For some, this may come down to deciding between inpatient and residential treatment. They may seem similar, but there are differences to consider. This article will explain what each treatment option involves, helping you determine which is suited to your teen’s needs.

Residential vs. Inpatient Treatment

Let’s start by exploring the various aspects of each treatment plan, so you can gain a deeper understanding of what’s involved.

Setting

• Inpatient treatment is usually offered in a hospital setting or psychiatric unit

• Residential treatment typically takes place in a facility such as a rehab or mental health center

Medical Needs

• Inpatient treatment typically addresses short-term needs and acute symptoms. It may be recommended for teens dealing with severe psychosis, suicide risk, or dangerous substance withdrawal.

• Residential treatment focuses on long-term recovery, helping teens develop coping skills for emotional regulation.

Care & Supervision

• Inpatient treatment- staff members are trained to offer emergency services around the clock

• Residential treatment- the treatment team will be available 24/7 and can deal with some emergencies, but additional support may be needed in life-threatening situations

Duration of Stay

• Inpatient treatment is typically short-term, lasting no more than two weeks

• Residential treatment is longer-term, usually between 1 and 3 months

Treatment Services

• Inpatient treatment is typically focused on crisis stabilization. The emphasis is on reducing risk and medication adjustment.

• Residential treatment focuses on mental health services, such as developing coping skills through cognitive and dialectical behavior therapy. Academic support may be offered for teens.

Environment and Restrictions

• Inpatient treatment offers a secure, controlled environment, often with locked units and strict rules regarding belongings, visitors, and leaving the unit

• Residential treatment programs offer more of a home-like setting, with some allowing supervised passes and outings

Admissions

• Inpatient admissions may be voluntary for safety reasons or may be involuntary and sanctioned when there are severe mental health concerns

• Residential admissions are almost always voluntary and planned

How They Fit in the Treatment Ladder

Depending on the severity of mental illness, inpatient treatment may be the first part of the recovery process, while residential treatment is a secondary approach that patients move to after the crisis is stabilized.

After residential treatment is complete, teens may continue down the treatment ladder, working their way to:

• Partial Hospitalization Treatment: The teen will attend therapy sessions and work in support groups to deal with mental health challenges for several hours each day, and return home at night.

• Outpatient Intensive Treatment: Teens continue receiving therapy for mental health disorders, typically attending therapy sessions three times a week.

• Outpatient Treatment: In this final stage of therapy, teens will continue seeing a mental health professional once a week or as needed.

How to Determine Which is Right for Your Teen

Various factors indicate whether inpatient or residential treatment is best for your teen. Here are some to consider.

When Inpatient Treatment is the Best Choice

Inpatient hospitalization may be the best choice if your child is experiencing:

• Safety risks such as suicidal behavior, self-harm, or violent or aggressive behavior

• Severe mental health symptoms, including intense psychosis (hearing voices, seeing things, strong delusions), severe mania (no sleep, impulsivity, risky behavior), or extreme agitation, aggression, and disorganization

• Serious medical issues like eating disorders leading to extremely low weight, electrolyte issues, fainting, and abnormal heart rate

• Risky withdrawal symptoms from substance abuse, such as seizures, elevated body temperature, and increased heart rate

When Residential Treatment is the Best Choice

Residential treatment may be a better solution for teens, when the following situations apply:

• Ongoing mental health conditions that can be safely managed in a structured setting, but have not improved with outpatient treatment of short-stays in residential treatment facilities.

• Struggles with daily life, including school and socialization challenges

• They are safe at home while you arrange treatment

• Your doctor or therapist does not think they need emergency services to deal with a severe mental illness

How BNI Treatment Centers Can Help

BNI offers residential programs, which may be a primary course of action or a follow-up to inpatient care. Once teens enter our program, we conduct a psychiatric evaluation to determine the appropriate treatment approach based on their individual needs. Our program offers various evidence-based care therapies to promote recovery and long-term well-being. We also offer academic support to ensure your child doesn’t fall behind in schoolwork while receiving treatment.

Contact us to learn how we can help your teen achieve a higher quality of life.

FAQs

Are there any drawbacks to consider?

Both programs may offer some drawbacks. For example, inpatient care’s short-term approach may not address the root causes of the issue. Teens may also resent the restrictive environment, potentially impacting adherence.

With residential treatment, there is more separation from family and friends, which can contribute to mental health issues.

How do we get started?

If your child needs inpatient treatment, it may be best to call emergency services or take them directly to a psychiatric hospital. Residential treatment programs also offer immediate admissions, but typically the process involves a provider referral, assessement process, and insurance verification.

Who provides the care?

In an inpatient facility, intensive support is provided by doctors, nurses, and psychiatrists for medical emergencies. The staff in a residential treatment center typically includes mental health professionals, although medical staff may also be on-site or on-call.