How long do I have to stay in hospital for depression?

Depression. The length of hospital stay depends entirely on how well the patient is getting better, and usually takes about a month. In the first half of the month, because of the slow onset of antidepressant drugs, it takes 7-10 days for them to be effective, and after the onset of effect, the doctor will increase the dosage of the drug according to the degree of improvement of the patient's depressive symptoms, so it is basically the stage of adjusting the dose of the drug.

In addition to the efficacy, the doctor should also observe the adverse reactions of the drug, and at the same time carry out targeted psychological **, so that the patient has a correct understanding of the condition and taking the drug. After the observation period, his condition was stable and there were no obvious adverse drug reactions.

You can be discharged from the hospital.

Patients in the acute phase are generally hospitalized for eight to twelve weeks, which can better control the effect of depression patients, for patients in the consolidation phase, it is generally recommended to continue to take it for six to nine months, and for patients in the maintenance phase, it is generally recommended to insist on taking it for one to two years for patients with depression who have a first episode.

For patients with depression for the second time, take the medication for three to five years.

The key to the time of hospitalization for depression is whether the condition is serious or not, if severe depression requires long-term hospitalization**, mild can go home and self-medicate.

Depression, there is a difference between mild to moderate and severe, some accompanied by anxiety, insomnia or manic state, if the patient can actively cooperate**, or there is no self-harm or social harm, it is okay not to be hospitalized, but there are also cases that need to be hospitalized. It is still necessary to be hospitalized if:

First, the patient has suicidal thoughts. Most patients with depression have the feeling that "life is worse than death", and life for others is insurmountable pain for patients, and no one can understand this pain, and death has become the only choice in order to free themselves from "extreme pain". If the undesirable tendencies are obvious, it is best to be hospitalized as soon as possible and relieved by medication**.

Second, the patient's symptoms of anxiety or bipolar disorder are intense. Symptoms of anxiety are restlessness, restlessness, extreme energy exertion, and accompanied by insomnia and exhaustion; Bipolar symptoms are alternating recurrence of depression and mania, manifested as two extremes of bidirectional emotion, sometimes extremely nervous, sometimes very depressed, and this situation also requires hospitalization**.

Thirdly, the patient has comorbid symptoms. For example, when the patient suffers from chronic poor mental condition, loss of appetite, sleep disorders and obvious physique, health, or other diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, it is best to be hospitalized** to prevent aggravation of other diseases due to mental illness.

Fourth, patients cannot be disconnected from their busy work. At this time, hospitalization** is a good option, and the doctor will also recommend that the patient be hospitalized** to temporarily get rid of the stress caused by work and get enough rest.

Fifth, the patient chooses for himself. The patient himself believes that his condition is serious enough to require hospitalization, and this situation needs to be decided after consultation between the patient, the family and the hospital.

If it's serious, you need to be hospitalized, so listen to the doctor's advice.

If mild or moderate depression is present, hospitalization is not required**. In the case of major depression, hospitalization** is generally recommended, especially in the following three cases:

1. The patient is at risk of suicide; Clause.

2. The degree of depression is severe, which seriously affects life and learning; Clause.

3. Depression leads to excessive pessimism and uncooperation of patients. All three conditions strongly require hospitalization**.