Most people know when to seek emergency medical care for themselves or a loved one, but it may be less clear when to call an emergency psychiatrist. Psychiatric emergencies can be dangerous situations, so it is important to understand how to recognize them and what to do when an emergency happens.
Psychiatric emergencies may occur when a person becomes unable to care for themselves, threatens or attempts self-harm, or experiences worsening symptoms of a preexisting mental health condition.
A person may need to see an emergency psychiatrist when that person has shown signs that there is a risk of self-harm:
You may also be facing a psychiatric emergency if the person has risk factors for harming others, such as saying they plan to kill a person or group of people, harming animals, destroying property, starting fires, becoming more violent, or threatening others with a weapon.
There are often signs a person needs to see an emergency psychiatrist before an emergency happens. The person may begin to act oddly or not make sense. Your loved one may see or hear things that are not there. The person may not be in touch with reality or may be paranoid.
If the person is in immediate danger or is putting other people in danger, call 911 or take the person to the nearest emergency room. If you are unsure whether you can safely transport the person, call for an ambulance.
Bring anything that may help the emergency psychiatrist diagnose the problem to the emergency room. For example, if the person has written a suicide note or a concerning social media post, bring it with you. If you believe the person has taken any medications, bring the medication bottles along with any medications the person has been prescribed to take. Bring contact information for the person's doctor and mental health providers.
Some situations may be frightening but not emergencies. In these cases, you can wait to contact a doctor or mental health provider during normal business hours. Examples of non-emergency situations include routine medication changes or non-urgent refills, chronic problems that are not life-threatening or dangerous to others, and non-emergent full diagnostic evaluations.
Check out what others are saying about our mental wellness services on Yelp: Psychiatrist in New York, NY
Psychiatric emergencies can be frightening experiences for the people experiencing them and those around them. However, learning to recognize the signs and preparing for what to do when an emergency happens can lower the stress level and help you get the care you need for yourself or your loved one before the situation can get worse.
If you or a loved one is experiencing the signs of a psychiatric emergency, we encourage you to contact our office immediately to discuss your next steps.
Request an appointment or call NYC Psychiatric Associates at 917-391-0076 for an appointment in our New York office.
Professional schizophrenia treatment is necessary due to the complexity of the mental health disorder. Psychiatrists characterize it as a range of hallucinations, delusions, jumbled thinking patterns, and sometimes a loss of emotional resonance or expressiveness. These are just some of the symptoms that make trying to manage the disorder independently nearly impossible and dangerous.Before developing…
Clinical psychiatric evaluations assess a patient's mental and emotional well-being, diagnose psychiatric disorders, and develop an appropriate course of action. Having mixed emotions about being recommended for one of these evaluations is normal, but do not fret. These evaluations can be the first step to gaining clarity and improving the quality of your life.In this…
A psychiatrist can help a patient suffering from substance abuse and mental health problems. The treatment will focus on both issues. It is common for addiction and mental disorders to occur. Understanding more about this occurrence can help prepare you for your coming treatment. If you want to know more about addiction psychiatry, here are…
While there is no cure for many long-term behavioral disorders, they may be successfully controlled with the right combination of therapy and other treatments. Behavioral issues such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and addiction disorders are prevalent nowadays.While there has been a lot of study into what causes behavioral disorders, including diverse fields…
Depression treatment can vary from patient to patient. However, all psychiatrists approach each patient with some basic techniques. These strategies can guide you through your depression treatment. Here are the details on how each mental health provider can guide you through your condition.The psychiatrist can prescribe antidepressants. These drugs can help correct the uneven chemistry…