Inpatient vs outpatient care: understanding your options

Choosing the right treatment programme, whether this is inpatient or outpatient care, is crucial for mental health recovery. 
Inpatient care provides people with constant support in a structured environment, and is ideal for people with more severe mental health challenges or those who are going through acute phases of mental illness. Outpatient care – which could take the form of outpatient appointments, day care or online therapy – is a flexible option that allows people to integrate their treatment with their daily life. It’s ideal for people who don’t have severe mental health problems, but would still benefit from some ongoing support.

Here, we explore these options in more detail, including the benefits and limitations associated with each, and how you can get the best support for your needs.

About inpatient and outpatient care

Inpatient and outpatient care support people with different needs, depending on the severity of their mental health condition, addiction or eating disorder. 

What is inpatient support?

Inpatient care is the most intensive type of support. During inpatient treatment, you’ll stay in hospital on a residential basis for the duration of your treatment. This can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on your specific needs.

This type of treatment provides round-the-clock medical support, therapy sessions, medication management and support for any problems that might co-occur alongside your condition. Inpatient treatment means that you can spend some time away from your usual environment, which may be full of triggers, offering a safe space that allows you to focus on your wellbeing and recovery.

What is outpatient support?

In contrast, outpatient treatment enables you to live at home while you’re receiving support. Outpatient support could consist of therapy sessions at a treatment centre, day care programmes or online therapy that you can access from the comfort of your own home. The frequency of outpatient support can vary from daily sessions to just once a week, offering more flexibility when compared to inpatient support.

Outpatient treatment is a useful option for people who need ongoing support for their mental health, but are able to manage their condition at home and don’t need 24-hour support. This allows you to still go to work if you need to, and you don’t have to spend time away from your loved ones.

Benefits and challenges 

Both inpatient and outpatient support have unique advantages, tailored to people’s recovery needs. However, they also have their own challenges that patients and families will need to navigate.

Benefits of inpatient treatment: 

• Comprehensive support – you’ll receive round-the-clock medical and emotional support from a team of professionals, which is crucial for more severe mental health problems that need to be closely monitored
• Structured environment – inpatient treatment takes place in a highly structured setting. This removes distractions and triggers from your environment, meaning your sole focus is on getting better
• Everything you need in one place – during inpatient treatment, you’ll receive therapy, wellbeing activities and medication management in one location, meaning you benefit from joined-up, intensive support

Challenges of inpatient treatment:

• Less personal freedom – because inpatient treatment is so structured, some people may find this slightly restrictive. You’ll be expected to stay in hospital for the majority of your treatment, and stick to therapy timetables
• Potential isolation – being away from home, work and everyday social environments may lead to some people feeling isolated or disconnected. However, depending on your treatment programme and the stage of treatment you’re at, you’ll still be able to have visitors

Benefits of outpatient treatment:

• Flexibility – you can schedule treatment sessions around your personal and professional commitments, meaning you can maintain your daily routines
• Cost-effectiveness – outpatient support is generally less expensive than inpatient care because it doesn’t include accommodation or 24-hour care
• Real-world application – the things you learn during treatment can be immediately applied to real-life situations, meaning you can gain practical experience in managing your condition in your day-to-day life

Challenges of outpatient treatment:

• The Need for self-discipline – the success of outpatient treatment depends on your ability to stay committed to your treatment, without constant support. You may also be given ‘homework’ to complete between sessions, which needs self-discipline
• Environmental challenges – you’ll be living in your usual environment during outpatient treatment, which may mean you’re still exposed to stressors or triggers associated with your condition

Understanding these benefits and challenges is important so you can make an informed decision on what will work best for you. The type of support you receive will ultimately influence the effectiveness of your treatment and the quality of your recovery.

Determining the right care for you

Getting the right care for you, whether this is inpatient or outpatient support, is a crucial part of your recovery journey. 

Reach out to a professional

If you’re not sure which type of support would be the best for you, it’s essential that you reach out for help. At Priory, our experts are equipped to listen to your concerns and evaluate your specific situation. Through discussions and diagnostic assessments, we can recommend whether inpatient or outpatient support would best support your recovery goals.

Personalised treatment plans

Once it’s been decided whether you’re best suited to inpatient or outpatient treatment, we’ll be able to tailor your treatment plan to your individual needs. Your treatment plan will take into account lots of different things, including:

• How severe your symptoms are
• Your personal health history
• Whether you have any co-occurring challenges

This approach means we can deliver tailored care, structured with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. We’re dedicated to helping you to overcome your own personal challenges and achieve the life you want.

Step-down treatment

While we offer outpatient support as a starting point, there’s also an option for you to step down to outpatient treatment following an inpatient stay. 

After you finish an intensive inpatient programme, you might find it useful to continue getting support as you’re learning to navigate daily life. Moving to day care, outpatient therapy or online therapy helps you to stay on track as your condition improves and you get used to being in the ‘real world’ again. This approach also lets you use the coping skills you’ve learned in therapy in real-life situations, making your recovery stronger and more lasting.

The choice between inpatient and outpatient care is highly personal, influenced by specific health conditions, personal circumstances and recovery goals. At Priory, we’re committed to providing you with comprehensive support and expert guidance to navigate these options. By understanding the unique benefits and challenges of each type of care, and through a tailored and flexible approach to treatment, we aim to help you to make informed decisions that foster a sustainable recovery and a healthier future. Whether you’re stepping into care for the first time or transitioning between levels of care, our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way.