Inpatient Treatment Is Over — Now What?
When it is time for your child to return home, you and he will meet with the case manager or another member of the treatment team. You will be instructed as to what medications your child will be taking and what sort of treatment he will need on the outside. Generally, your child will be sent back to his previous therapist or doctor. Some facilities might have a partial discharge program where your child might attend group therapy. This is a great way to transition him out of inpatient treatment.
While it is certainly not designed to be self-damaging, a child can actually develop deeper feelings of inadequacy because he had to have this special treatment. In other words, he may be vulnerable to a recurrence of depression. This needs to be addressed as soon as possible in therapy.
Alert!
Understandably, your child is going to be sick of treatment. Once discharged, he will beg for a vacation from therapy, stating he just wants to return to his normal life. Don't let him talk you into it. Re-establishing a therapeutic relationship quickly after discharge will keep him on track and help avoid a recurrence of depression.
Removing Your Kid Gloves
It is important that your child return to his normal life as soon as possible. Let him visit friends, return to school, and do whatever he was enjoying doing prior to inpatient treatment. Resist the urge to walk on eggshells around him. It is reasonable for you to be worried about him, but treating him with kid gloves will only make matters worse.
While you are busy trying not to be too overprotective, also avoid asking him if he's all right. You'll want to ask about a million times a day, but it will make your child defensive. This is not the time for him to believe that you are worried about him or that you don't trust him to tell you when he is in trouble.
Keeping It Simple
Try to keep the tension and stress within your home to a minimum. Keep a stable routine because this can be especially reassuring for your child during this time. Don't make any major decisions, such as moving or changing schools, that will disrupt the family's stability.
Last, maintain a positive attitude. Express your happiness that your child completed treatment. Communicate to him that you understand how difficult it must have been for him and that you are proud of his hard work. And while you're at it, give him lots of hugs and love!
