What is an emergency situation for a schizophrenia patient?
Agitation associated with psychosis can be one emergent situation for a schizophrenia patient as it can escalate into aggressive behaviour. This could cause them to engage in self-harm or harming other individuals. They may also try to attempt suicide. Or they may be unable to dress or feed themselves on a day-to-day basis.
What do professionals do in an emergency situation for schizophrenia?
A medical professional such as a psychiatrist could give medications that soothe the symptoms of the patient. A psychotherapist could help them engage in strategies to soothe them. In severe cases, in a hospital setting, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) could be administered, especially when immediate help is required when the patient’s life is at risk.
How to prevent having an emergency for a schizophrenia patient?
Consulting a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist and following the treatment plan which includes medications regularly can help prevent an emergency situation for a schizophrenia patient. A psychotherapist could also help the patient and their family members become aware of signs of relapse and learn about ways they can handle the patient in a crisis.
What can the family do in case of an emergency for a schizophrenia patient?
The family can ensure that the patient is safe and that others are not at risk of harm either. The family can call up the patient’s psychiatrist for immediate medical intervention, an ambulance if physical harm is involved, take the patient to the nearest hospital, or even call the police if severe aggressive behaviour is involved – you can inform the police to not take out their weapons as it can threaten the patient and make them react even more. If the patient is prone to crisis situations, the family can get the patient admitted to a psychiatric hospital or a rehabilitation setting for a period of time.