In-Patient Mental Health

What is mental health care?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a “state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, works productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community.”

Just as we maintain our physical health through exercise, good sleep, and healthy eating habits and seek medical attention when we experience pain or malfunction, we must also attend to our mental health.

Maintaining mental health often requires creating routines that suit our unique preferences. This might include learning techniques to focus on life’s positives and handle unexpected challenges. Practices like meditation, prayer, journaling, or other healthy forms of emotional expression can help keep the mind balanced. These activities enhance our ability to face daily challenges and develop effective coping strategies.

There are times when we are unable to express and release our thoughts and feelings, or if we neglect them for a period, imbalances can develop that may lead to further mental or emotional symptoms. This can impair performance and affect work, relationships, home life, or social interactions. Such problems require proper attention and specialized care, which is where mental healthcare becomes essential. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may be provided in an outpatient setting or may require inpatient care.

What is inpatient mental healthcare?

Some mental health conditions require more personalized care, where patients need continuous monitoring and support from medical and mental health professionals. These patients are admitted to a secure, confidential facility specifically designed to support their assessment and treatment.

Inpatient care addresses mental health conditions such as severe depression, suicidal thoughts and plans, significant changes in thought patterns, abnormal perceptions, intense or extreme behaviors, and psychosis. A dedicated multidisciplinary team, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, specialized mental health nurses, nutritionists and occupational therapists, collaborates to provide comprehensive care.

The focus of inpatient care is not only on stabilizing acute symptoms but also on helping patients develop skills for managing ongoing conditions and reintegrating them into a functioning and healthy daily life.

Why choose inpatient mental health care at Reem Hospital, Abu Dhabi?

Reem Hospital is the first private facility in Abu Dhabi to offer inpatient psychiatric care. We provide a comprehensive range of services for a wide spectrum of mental health conditions, from mood disorders to severe conditions such as psychosis. Our experienced team of doctors and therapists delivers top-tier mental healthcare using state-of-the-art treatment approaches to support the well-being of our patients.

Who needs inpatient mental health care at Reem Hospital, Abu Dhabi?

We provide a private, safe environment for individuals requiring continuous monitoring and care for mental disorders that cannot be managed solely in outpatient settings. We address a range of psychological and psychiatric conditions, including:

• Treatment-resistant depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Delirium
• Risk of self-harm or harm to others
• Severe manic or depressive states of bipolar disorder
• Psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia
• Cases where outpatient treatments have failed or relapsed
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia)

How will I know if I have recovered from my mental condition?

What distinguishes a mental health assessment from a physical health assessment is that it does not involve measuring vital signs like blood pressure or pulse. Instead, mental health is evaluated through continuous observations of the individual’s mental health journey. This assessment includes:

• Acceptance of oneself, challenging situations, and the environment
• Understanding self-worth and differentiating between what can and cannot be controlled, including the ability to let go of what cannot be controlled
• Achieving greater mood stability
• Becoming aware of one’s behavior, attitude, and responses to various triggers with a sense of responsibility
• Nurturing hope and finding purpose to help maintain a balanced lifestyle

During hospital stay, doctors and therapists will provide regular updates on the condition through progress notes and daily assessments. They will also have daily conversations with the patient to discuss progress and develop a discharge plan if eligible. This plan will include strategies for maintaining mental health, the frequency of follow-up visits, and ways to optimize overall mental well-being.