Thought Disorder Treatment at Banyan

Diagnosing a Thought Disorder

Typically, a thought disorder will be evaluated by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or another mental health clinician. During this evaluation process, a doctor will review a variety of factors, including the specific symptoms, medical history, psychiatric history, substance use history, current level of functioning, and safety issues. He or she may ask about the person's sleep patterns, emotions, trauma history, medications, and previous experiences of psychosis. 

The purpose is not just to attach a label or name to a cluster of symptoms, but to truly understand what is going on with that person. Symptoms of a thought disorder might be symptoms of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, mood disorders with psychotic features, substance intoxication or withdrawal, or other mental health disorders. A careful assessment of symptoms can lead to a diagnosis that guides the course of treatment, rather than relying on trial-and-error.

Treatment for a Thought Disorder

Because thought disorders involve communication issues, disorientation to reality, mood instability, and safety risks, treatment plans are often comprehensive and tailored to an individual person's needs. A person with a thought disorder may need mental health care, psychotherapy, a structured environment, and ongoing monitoring for progress.

Treatment options may include:

• Mental health services to manage medications that target thought disorder symptoms, or related symptoms of a co-occurring mood disorder
• Individual therapy to help increase a patient's insight, develop coping skills, and enhance emotional regulation
• Cognitive behavioral therapy for patients, in which it's helpful to explore their distressing thoughts and responses to such thoughts
• Group therapy provides opportunities for communication, support, and connection with peers
• Family therapy or education to help family members increase understanding and empathy
• Education focused on recognizing symptoms and warning signs of worsening conditions
• Encouragement to establish a structure to support sleep, self-care, and daily tasks.

Many patients may require medications as a key part of their treatment plan, specifically when patients experience hallucinations and delusions or experience extreme disorganization or agitation. Therapy is still important because treatment for thought disorders goes beyond just reducing symptoms. Therapy is about helping people learn to communicate better, engage in their treatment, and participate more effectively in their daily lives.

Banyan Treatment Centers' Approach to the Treatment of Thought Disorders

At Banyan Treatment Centers, we begin the process of treating thought disorders with a thorough clinical assessment and individualized care plan. We consider all factors, including mental health and medical symptoms, functional challenges, family situation, and whether the person has any drug or alcohol use. We can recommend treatment levels of care based on this assessment.

We offer a number of mental health programs that incorporate evidence-based treatment and supportive services that can include psychiatric services, therapeutic care, medication support, skills building, and progress checks. At Banyan Treatment Centers, our goal is to support patients' journeys toward stability and recovery.

Treatment Options for Thought Disorder

The appropriate treatment setting depends on a person's symptoms, safety risks, and the impact on their daily functioning. Some individuals might require the highly structured setting of residential care to begin their treatment, while others can remain at home during care.

Residential Treatment

Inpatient mental health care is the most structured level of care that we list on this page. It might be appropriate for adults who have severe and long-term symptoms that are challenging to manage without constant, on-the-spot intervention.

Partial Hospitalization (PHP)

PHP provides intensive treatment during the day but doesn't require patients to remain in a treatment facility overnight. It can work well for patients who need regular therapy and supervision from a medical and psychiatric standpoint, but can also function safely at home during the evenings. Outpatient care is the least intensive of the options for people who are able to handle the demands of daily living while still benefiting from treatment support. 

Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program

Virtual IOP via Telehealth can enable some patients to obtain structured treatment for mental illness from their own homes. This type of virtual mental health care may be a good fit for adults who require clinically meaningful participation but value the flexibility to treat their conditions at home. 

Not all patients who experience a thought disorder are appropriate for virtual care, as their level of symptom management must be carefully evaluated for both appropriateness and safety.

What To Expect from Thought Disorder Treatment

After an initial intake, the care team will learn more about the patient's symptoms, risk factors, and immediate needs. A treatment plan will then be created to meet the unique needs of each individual. Treatment may include psychotherapy, appointments with a psychiatrist, medication management, and support in acquiring skills.

Patients in treatment might work on identifying symptoms, enhancing communication, improving distress tolerance, and developing structure in their daily lives. Treatment might involve group therapy for peer support and social skills building, and individual therapy for working through symptoms and practicing coping skills.