Honestly - here at least, there are several diiferent areas where patients are zoned according to what needs they have. Each area has its own day room, nurse's station and patient rooms. In all areas (except the intensive care where patients have to be in the nurses sight at all times) patients are allowed to freely come and go out of their rooms from 6am-10pm. The day area has a tv, several chairs, generally has a few games or puzzles and sometimes pictures to color. You see a psychiatrist once a day and he or she adjusts and monitors your medication as needed. You can see a counselor if you ask to. There is group sessions assigned anywhere from 1-3 times a day as your doctor sees fit for you. There are activity groups that you can opt to participate in or not. They feed you 3 times a day - breakfast is in the area, other two meals in the cafeteria. A shower is mandatory everyday or it is noted you did not take it and reported to your psychiatrist. All your behaviors are closely monitored by the nurses and if you have any problems you can talk to them at any time. Sometimes the doctor puts medication to use "as needed" for you so they can use it to help you if you need something extra for pain or anxiety or etc. If it is something they think they need doctor approval for, they will contact the doctor. You get the care you need as quickly as you can and you do not have the stress of the everyday world (ie no bills to worry about while you are there no nagging etc) and you are closely monitored in case anything does happen to go wrong since they are messing with your medication. They also closely monitor your vitals n sometimes order other tests like EKG or etc depending on your medication.