Though we do believe that overall, life is meant to be good, sometimes it can also throw some serious curveballs. When that happens, it can feel overwhelming. If you’re experiencing a psychiatric emergency, you need to know that you’re not alone and that your feelings are valid and require attention. We encourage you to call our office immediately or stop by in person to get the help you need.
A Psychiatric Emergency: What Qualifies?
There are a lot of things a person can experience that can blur the line between ‘scary’ and ’emergency.’ We understand that things like anxiety attacks can seem extremely concerning, and they are. However, the majority of the time, they aren’t immediately life-threatening. (Please note, we do not mean to diminish the significant effects that anxiety has on your life, and encourage you to call our office for help if you are suffering from it.) In most cases, a psychiatric emergency is life-threatening or places the lives of others in danger and requires immediate attention from professionals.
Suicide
One of the most common psychiatric emergencies that we see is threats of suicide, as well as actual suicide attempts themselves. Please be aware that talk and threats of suicide should ALWAYS be taken seriously. If you personally are experiencing thoughts of suicide, do not ignore them! You need to take those seriously and get the help you need. We can’t stress enough how important it is to find good, professional help right away. For information on how to help yourself during a crisis, visit the National Alliance On Mental Health’s article here.
If someone you know has attempted suicide, call 911 immediately. If a friend or loved one has threatened suicide, do not leave them alone and get professional help right away. You may call our office or other resources in town if the situation is under control. If not, we recommend that you call 911 immediately.
Psychosis
Occasionally, people suffering from certain mental illnesses may mistakenly perceive threats where there are none. In extreme cases, they can react to this threat by following their natural self-defense instincts, which may place others around them in danger. Rapid changes in
If you find yourself experiencing the symptoms described above, please seek emergency help by calling 911 or going to a hospital. If you find yourself in a situation where a person exhibiting those behaviors is placing you or others in immediate danger, get emergency help by calling 911. If you’ve observed a pattern of behavior that could lead to violence in yourself or others, but are not in immediate danger call our office.
Substance Abuse
Much like the above-mentioned issues, substance abuse can also pose a threat to individuals and the people around them. If you or a loved one has had troubles with addiction in the past and it has caused issues in your day-to-day life, call us to get the help you need. And again, if you or a loved one is in an immediately threatening situation, call 911 for emergency help right away.