Evaluation by a Psychiatrist for Common Adult Mental Health Crises

If you are having a mental health crisis, you might not even know that you need a psychiatrist's help. To you, or to the person you love who is currently in crisis, the world likely appears to be metaphorically on fire.

It is possible to recover from this with help. Get help from a qualified mental health professional to diagnose the issue and prevent recurrence in the future.

What qualifies as a mental health crisis?

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five American adults either live with a current mental illness or have experienced an episode of one in the past year. Not all of these conditions contribute to crises, but some do. The most common mental health crises often involve severe mental illnesses, substance abuse, and trauma.

What happens during a mental health crisis evaluation with a psychiatrist?

You do not have to prepare extensively for a psychiatric appointment, but many people feel more comfortable when they know what to expect. If you want to feel more prepared for your initial psychiatric evaluation, read through the topics below.

1. De-escalation of the crisis

The psychiatrist will first focus on de-escalating a person in crisis: In clinical terms, this essentially means calming someone down. In a crisis, people often yell, threaten others, or withdraw into themselves and refuse to speak.

The psychiatrist will remain quiet and gentle, focus on helping, and reduce outside stimulation and noise. Once you have calmed down, the psychiatrist might begin asking questions.

2. Asking important questions

The psychiatrist will ask you or a loved one about your psychiatric history. For example, have you ever attempted suicide? Have you ever tried to hurt someone else? Do you have any current psychiatric diagnoses that may contribute to a mental health crisis — such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or depression — or is this the first time you have experienced anything like this?

Knowing more about your background will help the psychiatrist understand what is happening in the current moment. Try to be as honest as possible and tell your psychiatrist exactly what you are experiencing (such as feelings, thoughts of suicide, or hearing or seeing things that you think may not be real).

3. Taking action

If you have hurt yourself, you need immediate attention to protect your physical and mental health. People who undergo psychiatric evaluation after being hospitalized may receive a diagnosis. Learning more about this diagnosis will help you and your family understand what to do next and how to avoid crises in the future.

If you have an existing diagnosis, your psychiatrist will discuss an actionable plan with you or your loved one. If you have bipolar disorder, for example, you and your family may be taught to recognize warning signs of a full-blown manic episode before it spirals out of control.