What to Do During a Psychiatric Emergency?

As per one report, more than 40 million people in America are living with mental illness. But more than half of them are not getting proper treatment. As you know, our mental health affects every other part of our life – career, relationships, mental health, and self-confidence. Therefore, if you are struggling with a psychiatric disorder, you know how difficult it is to carry on an everyday routine and live life to the fullest.

Psychological disorders can differ in severity. They affect every individual differently. Getting treatment for psychological conditions at the earliest helps the patient recover successfully. But two people with the same psychiatric disorder might need different treatments. The treatment for mental health disorders is usually more effective than it includes a blend of healthy lifestyle changes, medicines, and psychotherapy. Read further to know the ins and outs of psychological disorders.

What is a Psychiatric Disorder?

Psychiatric disorders are mental or behavioral patterns that significantly affect the behavior, moods, feelings, and thoughts of an individual. The most common psychiatric disorders include schizophrenia, autism, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. A psychiatric disorder may also show physical signs like stomach pain, headache, or backache. Make sure you tell your doctor about these symptoms immediately.

Causes of Psychiatric Emergencies

Below are the most common reasons behind the occurrence of psychiatric emergencies:

• Dementia.
• Bipolar disorder (mainly bipolar mania).
• Withdrawal.
• Anxiety states.
• Delirium.
• Schizophrenia.
• Depression.
• Intoxication.

How to Treat Behavioral and Psychiatric Emergencies?

Most mental health hospitals recommend treatment plans depending on the diagnosis and unique needs of the patient. They will include a blend of the following treatments:

• Medicines

Many psychiatric disorders are treatable with medicines because they are mainly brain afflictions. These medications help to treat chemical imbalances that occur in the brain.

• Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a counseling session for patients with psychiatric disorders that may occur in a group or one-on-one setting with trained mental health care experts. These experts help to find stressful thoughts and behaviors and then create smart strategies to cope with them. Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy. It helps to build self-confidence, strengthen bonds and encourage coping mechanisms.

• Healthy Lifestyle Practices

A mental healthcare expert may also recommend healthy lifestyle changes to offer relief from your specific symptoms. They usually enhance your physical and psychological well-being.

• Aftercare

Whether you are in a psychiatric hospital or taking treatment at home, sticking to aftercare instructions is essential to living a healthy and happy life.

Psychiatric Emergencies: What is it? What to Do?

Psychiatric emergencies are situations that refrain a person from acting in a way that is lethal to himself/herself or others. Experienced psychiatrists may identify psychiatric emergencies during regular outpatient care.

To maintain the safety of other patients and staff, the psychiatrist moves the patient to a private room for further evaluation. It’s because a delirious or severely depressed patient is unpredictable and might cause harm to others.

The initial assessment focuses on the factors that increase the risk of unintentional or intentional danger. These usually include irritation, disheveled appearance, intoxication, and hopelessness.

When any individual is recognized with a psychiatric emergency at Ascent Emergency Room, the professional will:

• Perform a full assessment of the behavior.
• Arrange or give a follow-up to ensure the care continues.
• Helps to minimize the risk by moving the patient to a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric ER near you as required.

If an individual has symptoms of psychiatric emergencies like violence or agitation, feel free to call 911. You can also consider the following steps in mind to calm them during violent situations.

• Offer some physical space.
• Keep your voice slow and always speak in a clear and relaxed voice.
• Refrain from confrontation.

If your psychiatric disorder is causing stress or living your life or making it difficult to live your life to the fullest, contact us for emergency psychiatric services immediately.

What to Expect During Your Initial Appointment?

Your first appointment with the ER for mental health will include:

• Blood tests.
• You may be referred to a mental dental expert.
• Discussion about your family and medical history.
• Queries about your worries and symptoms.
• Additional medical tests to identify other health conditions.

Risk Factors

Although risk factors can differ depending on the psychological disorder, few are common in most conditions. These include:

• Changes in the brain.
• Trauma.
• Genetics.
• Misuse of alcohol or drugs.
• Circumstances of life.
• Environment.