When can OCD become an emergency?
When a person’s OCD gets them to engage in self-harm or makes them consider suicidal ideations or engage in suicidal attempts, it becomes an emergency situation. Excoriation disorder, which involves skin-picking, is one type of OCD that can lead to serious complications such as physical disfigurement, infection, and even physical disability. Self-surgery such as auto-castration, although rare, is another complication of OCD that can classify as an emergency situation.
What to do in an OCD emergency?
The OCD person needs to be rushed to the Emergency department of a hospital where physicians and psychiatrists could medicate them and ensure their safety in the hospital setting.
What professionals can help a patient in an OCD emergency?
A physician or a psychiatrist can prescribe medications or administer injections and ensure that the OCD patient does not act out on self-harming impulses. The nursing staff can monitor the patient and ensure their safety as well. A rehabilitation facility is best suited for handling OCD emergencies as medical and mental health professionals are constantly available for regular appointments. In addition, nurses monitor the patient’s safety 24*7.
How to prevent an OCD emergency?
Early diagnosis and treatment of OCD can help prevent an OCD emergency. A psychiatrist can help diagnose and prescribe medications to reduce the OCD obsessions and compulsions. A therapist can help challenge the obsessive thoughts and learn to manage the compulsions with coping strategies.
