Week 1: Crisis Stabilization
Arjun’s arrival:
- Sleeping 16 hours a day
- Refused to talk to anyone
- Wouldn’t attend group sessions
- Family fearful and drained
Understanding depression and extreme fatigue →
| Goal | Intervention | Small Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | 24/7 monitoring, secure setting | No self-harm episodes |
| Basic needs | Nutrition care, sleep regulation | Ate full meals, showered |
| Initial rapport | Gentle staff interaction | Made eye contact with nurse |
| Medical stabilization | Medication adjustment, physical exam | Ruled out medical causes |
Family support: Learning about depression biology, what to anticipate, decreasing guilt and fear.
Read: What causes depression – Internal or External? →
Dr. Mehta’s explanation: “Week 1 is all about safety and stabilization. We’re not anticipating participation yet—just keeping Arjun safe while his brain chemistry starts to stabilize.”
Understanding clinical depression →
Week 2: Engagement Building
Breakthrough moments:
- Day 10: Attended first group therapy—sat quietly but remained entire hour
- Day 12: Smiled at humor another patient shared. First smile in months
- Day 14: Asked staff to retrieve laptop to read work emails. First concern for outside world
Additions to treatment:
| Therapy Type | Purpose | Arjun’s Response |
|---|---|---|
| Individual CBT | Address negative thoughts | Participated grudgingly |
| Art therapy | Non-verbal expression of feelings | Drew dark pictures but stayed engaged |
| Gentle exercise | Physical well-being, endorphins | Walked hospital campus daily |
| Family sessions | Development of communication skills | Parents learned new strategies |
Learn about Psychotherapy & Counselling services →
Family improvement: Rajesh and wife discovered “Have you taken your medicine?” is defensive. Improved: “I’m here if you need anything.”
Understanding the role of family support in recovery →
Week 3: Skill Building
Arjun’s transformation:
- Day 17: Facilitated group therapy discussion about being a burden. Others connected, thanked him for opening up
- Day 19: Befriended Rohan—another young professional. Played chess together
- Day 21: Family therapy session without tears. Laughed together for first time in a year
Treatment intensification:
| Focus Area | Skills Practiced | Real Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Coping strategies | Distress tolerance, emotion regulation | Used skills when upset |
| Trauma processing | Understanding triggers, reframing | Identified patterns in childhood |
| Communication | Expressing needs without hostility | Asked clearly for what he needed |
| Mindfulness | Present-moment awareness | Decreased rumination about past |
Medical progress: Medication having obvious positive impact. Energy improving, mood elevated, sleeping regular hours.
Read: 9 Myths About Psychiatric Medication →
Discharge planning begins: Team discussing timeline, outpatient care coordination.
Week 4: Getting Ready for Real World
Testing skills:
- Day 24: Day pass to go home for 4 hours. Arjun anxious but thrilled
- Outcome: Voluntarily returned to hospital (key indicator of trust and stability)
- Day 26: Another day pass—spent overnight at home. Practiced new communication skills
- Day 28: Discharge ready. Safety plan in place, support network engaged
Discharge readiness checklist:
| Area | Status | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | No suicidal thoughts for 2 weeks | Crisis phone numbers entered, plan documented |
| Medication | Stable on medication, aware of importance | Psychiatrist visit in 3 days |
| Coping skills | Has several tools, uses daily | Therapy continues 2x/week |
| Support system | Family educated, friends reunited | Daily contact for 2 weeks |
| Follow-up | Intensive outpatient program scheduled | Daily groups for 2 weeks |
Learn about warning signs to watch for after discharge →
The First 30 Days After Discharge
High-support transition:
| Week | Support Level | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Daily hospital check-ins | Psychiatrist visit (Day 3), daily group therapy |
| Week 2–3 | Every-other-day phone calls | Individual therapy 2x/week, group 3x/week |
| Week 4+ | Weekly check-ins | Regular outpatient routine in place |
Arjun’s recovery metrics:
| Measure | Admission | Discharge | 30 Days | 6 Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depression (PHQ-9) | 23 (severe) | 12 (moderate) | 8 (mild) | 4 (minimal) |
| Daily functioning | 2/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Social engagement | None | Limited | Regular friends | Dating, working |
| Family relationships | Hostile | Improving | Good | Excellent |
Six Months Later: Arjun Today
Current life:
- 💼 Working full-time as software developer at tech startup
- 🏠 Living independently in own apartment
- 💕 Dating regularly, building relationships
- 💊 Medication-compliant, monthly psychiatrist visits
- 🗣️ Weekly therapy for maintenance
- 🎯 Future planning: Saving, considering graduate school
Daily routine:
- Morning: Gym, breakfast, meds, work
- Work: Got promoted after 4 months, leads projects
- Social: Close friends, active social life, dating
- Family: Weekly dinners, healthy communication
- Self-care: Regular sleep schedule, healthy diet, stress management
The Family Transformation
What changed for Rajesh and his wife:
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Constant arguments regarding medication | Open conversations regarding mental health |
| Helicopter parenting, no limits | Healthy support without enabling |
| Shame over mental illness | Viewing it as medical condition |
| Isolated, coping alone | Collaboration with treatment team |
| Relationship compromised by crisis | All family relationships enhanced |
Rajesh’s reflection: “I used to believe inpatient treatment meant I had failed. Now I know it meant I loved him enough to seek help he deserved. Our relationship is stronger than it has been in years.”
Understanding family dynamics and mental health →
Treatment Modalities Used
Multiple therapy approaches:
| Type of Therapy | How It Assisted |
|---|---|
| CBT (Cognitive Behavioral) | Changed negative thought processes |
| DBT (Dialectical Behavioral) | Regulated strong feelings |
| Trauma-focused | Worked with underlying experiences |
| Group therapy | Learned from others, less alone |
| Family therapy | Fixed communication, restored trust |
| Art/movement | Expression of emotion without words |
Learn more about our Psychotherapy services →
Why Inpatient Treatment Works
The environment for healing the brain:
Crisis brain state:
- Stress chemicals in constant state of increase
- Sleep loss, poor diet
- Social isolation worsening depression
- Negative thinking patterns unchecked
Inpatient healing state:
- Medication and sleep regulated
- Good diet nourishing brain
- Safe place, less stress
- Social interaction, therapeutic challenge
Result: Brain has chance to really heal, rather than just survive.
Understanding what happens in the brain during depression →
Rajesh’s Tips for Other Parents
What he wishes he’d known:
- Trust your instincts on crisis – If it feels like emergency, it likely is
- Don’t fear inpatient care – Contemporary hospitals are healing places
- Educate yourself – Education lowers fear and stigma
- Join family therapy – Everybody heals, not just patient
- Be patient with recovery – Marathon, not sprint
- Keep hope alive – Complete recovery is achievable with effective treatment
Read about warning signs of mental health decline →
Success Indicators
How to recognize treatment is effective:
Brain function:
- Improved focus and memory
- Improved decision-making
- Return of emotional regulation
- Sleep and appetite normalize
- Boost in energy and motivation
Life function:
- Returning to work/school
- Relationship rebuilding
- Participation in activities
- Future planning
- Physical health enhanced
The Message of Hope
“Arjun is doing well today in ways that we didn’t dare to hope for last winter. He has his own flat, a job he enjoys, meaningful relationships.
If you’re at the place where we were—afraid, tired, out of options—be assured that help exists.
Your story doesn’t have to culminate in crisis. With proper care, it can start in hope.” – From the Rajesh family
Seeking Help at Parth Hospital
Intensive inpatient services:
- Acute crisis stabilization
- Family-based treatment
- Evidence-based therapies
- Comprehensive discharge planning
- Ongoing post-discharge support
- Young adult programs (18-25)
- Treatment-resistant depression care
Learn about our mental health services →
Remember:
- Asking for help is an act of love, not failure
- Contemporary inpatient care is healing-oriented
- Families are collaborative partners in recovery
- Early intervention = improved outcomes
- Full recovery is not only possible—it’s likely
The most difficult decision may also be the most lifesaving.
🏥 Parth Hospital Ahmedabad
Inpatient & Emergency Psychiatric Services
📍 Address: 3rd Floor Sigma Excellence, Near Management Enclave, Opposite Falguni Gruh Udyog, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, 380015
📞 24/7 Emergency Contact:
- (+91) 972 420 1332
- (+91) 987 972 5516
📧 Email: info@parthhospital.com
🕐 Consultation Hours:
Monday – Saturday
Morning: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
“Where every admission starts hope, and every discharge begins a new life.”
⚠️CRITICAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
If you or someone you know is in crisis:
- KIRAN Mental Health Helpline: 1800-599-0019 (24/7, toll-free)
- Parth Hospital Emergency: (91) 972 420 1332 / (91) 987 972 5516
- Emergency Services: 108 or go to nearest hospital emergency room immediately
- Do not leave person alone if they’re expressing suicidal thoughts
📋 MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content describes one individual’s treatment journey and is for educational purposes only. Every person’s mental health needs are unique. Treatment decisions should be made in consultation with qualified mental health professionals. Inpatient psychiatric care is a serious medical intervention requiring professional evaluation and assessment. Success rates and timelines vary by individual. Always consult with healthcare providers for personalized medical advice.
