Ask a Psychiatrist About Common Psychiatric Emergencies

Ask a Psychiatrist About Common Psychiatric Emergencies from Future Psych Ketamine Clinics in Myrtle Beach, SCPart of the job of a psychiatrist is to treat patients during psychiatric emergencies. A psychiatric emergency is a situation in which a patient cannot meet their own basic needs due to psychiatric impairment or becomes a danger to self and others.

7 Common Psychiatric Emergencies

Because there are many different kinds of mental health conditions, it follows that there are different kinds of psychiatric emergencies that can occur. Some may have certain characteristics in common, but all require the help of a psychiatrist to resolve.

1. Potential first breaks

Mental health conditions typically develop gradually, but sometimes symptoms can emerge very suddenly. These are frightening situations for both patients and family members. With calm, competence, and compassion, an emergency psychiatrist can help patients to start their mental health journeys on the right foot.

2. Anxiety

Anxiety is a state of severe and irrational worry. People with anxiety may experience a psychiatric emergency of severe panic in response to a perceived threat. The task of an emergency psychiatrist then becomes to help the patients return to baseline so that treatment for anxiety can continue.

3. Withdrawal or intoxication with psychiatric aspects

According to Psychiatric Times, over 50% of people with substance use disorder also have other underlying psychiatric conditions. This combination can turn a state of intoxication or withdrawal from substances into a psychiatric emergency, though it would not be so if the intoxication or withdrawal occurred in the absence of such conditions.

4. Mania

Euphoria, grandiosity, and hyperactivity are all symptoms of manic episodes that can occur due to bipolar disorder. Not all such episodes are psychiatric emergencies, but mania can rise to that level when patients are at risk of getting into dangerous situations or exhibiting harmful behavior.

5. Aggression and agitation

Aggression involves behaving in a way that is threatening or confrontational toward others. Agitation involves excessive motor behavior or verbal speech. A psychiatrist can use calming techniques to de-escalate the situation before the patient causes harm to others or to themself. Many different types of mental health conditions can cause symptoms of aggression or agitation.

6. Acute psychosis

Psychosis is a break from reality that causes patients to perceive things that do not exist and believe things that are not true. Psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, do not always rise to the level of a psychiatric emergency. However, psychosis that is sudden and seriously pronounced could prevent a patient from being able to meet their own needs. It could put patients in a mental state in which they are likely to do themselves personal harm or endanger others.

7. Suicidality

A person who thinks about suicide, plans to do it, or attempts it unsuccessfully is exhibiting suicidality. This is one of the most serious psychiatric emergencies because it presents an immediate threat to the patient's life.

Check out what others are saying about our mental wellness services on Yelp: Psychiatrist in Myrtle Beach, SC

Conclusion

A psychiatric emergency needs to be taken as seriously as any medical emergency and treated by a psychiatrist who has the training to intervene and help return the patient to baseline.

For psychiatric emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies of a psychiatric nature, contact our office to schedule an evaluation.

Request an appointment or call Future Psych Ketamine Clinics at 843-788-9718 for an appointment in our Myrtle Beach office.

Recent Posts

Adult ADHD Treatment From A Psychiatrist

Seeing a psychiatrist for the treatment of your ADHD can help you manage your daily activities. Starting the treatment as a child can make adult treatments easier. But some adults have never been diagnosed with this condition before. If you want to know more about adult ADHD treatments from your psychiatrist, here are the details.ADHD…

Depression Treatment From A Child Psychiatrist

Seeing a child psychiatrist can confirm if your child has depression. Kids can feel sad sometimes. But prolonged sadness and hopelessness can be destructive to a child’s development. Bringing your child to a therapist can help the situation. If you want to know more about the different depression treatments for your child, here are the…

A Psychiatrist Answers PTSD Treatment FAQs

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who treats mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, PTSD affects more than 8 million adults in the United States. People who witness or experience a traumatic event, such as a car accident, shooting, or military combat, are at…

Recent Posts

Treatment Of ADHD With Psychotherapy

Treatment Of ADHD With Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can provide you with the right type of treatment for ADHD. This method can help children and adults suffering from this disorder. Extra support can help patients manage their condition. If you want to know the different psychotherapy treatments for ADHD, here are the details.There are three types of ADHD. The combined type is…

Types Of Psychotherapy: Psychodynamic Therapy

Types Of Psychotherapy: Psychodynamic Therapy

Curious about psychotherapy? You may not know that there are different types of therapy and that some of them are capable of not only addressing particular issues but providing long-term benefits that can be carried on long after the therapy sessions have ended. One such type of therapy that offers these benefits is psychodynamic therapy.While…