Common Symptoms Seen by an Emergency Psychiatrist

Going to an emergency psychiatrist can help stabilize your mind. Most people who present a psychiatric emergency suffer from a psychiatric ailment. Getting immediate help can stop the negative behaviors. If you want to know the common symptoms that an emergency psychiatrist watches out for, here are the details.

Suicide attempts

Feelings of hopelessness is a symptom that the psychiatrist looks for. Keeping the patient unharmed is the priority in treating this psychiatric emergency. This means depriving the patient of access to anything harmful. The psychiatrist must know about the patient’s suicidal attempts. Some patients make one attempt and then recover. Others keep making attempts against their lives.

Delirium

The psychiatrist will watch out for confusion and hallucinations. Keeping the patient away from harm is important. Supporting the patient’s health by maintaining hydration comes next. Ordering an MRI or CT scan will rule out any physical cause of the delirium. Prescribing medications can come next. This emergency could resolve in a few days or even weeks.

Depression

Loss of interest in anything and suicidal thoughts will be the first symptoms to check. Depression can cause a person to have low self-esteem. The psychiatrist will provide a combination of therapies. Psychotherapy and medications are common treatments. Bringing in a patient who is at risk for suicide can prevent self-harm.

Psychosis

The psychiatrist will look for paranoia and delusions. Administering antipsychotics is the immediate treatment. Placing the patient in a psychiatric ward is important for observation. The patient may also receive ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) if antipsychotics are not effective. The doctor will determine if the patient can take ECT.

Bipolar disorder

A psychiatric emergency for bipolar hallucinations and delusions. The psychiatrist will need to provide mood-stabilizing medication. Giving antipsychotics may also be an option. Reducing the intensity of manic episodes is also a priority.

Schizophrenia

The negative symptoms include poor motivation. There can also be social withdrawal. The positive symptoms are hallucinations and delusions. The psychiatrist will admit the individual to the hospital if the case is severe. This will prevent the patient from self-harm.

Anxiety

Symptoms to watch out for include sweating and trembling. The patient may cry or remain unresponsive. Admission to a hospital is necessary if the patient fears being alone at home. The distress can be debilitating to the patient and the family.

Excitement or violence

Aggression is the main symptom that the psychiatrist will look for. This can cause the patient to harm others or perform self-harm. Periods of excitement may be too difficult to handle. The patient will need admission to the hospital. Health care providers will keep an eye on the patient. Giving medications will be necessary to control the symptom.