If someone is suggesting they will harm themselves or you're concerned they might not be safe, call your local mental health service or 000 urgently to arrange specialist attention. Acute mental health teams can assist people experiencing psychosis in crisis.
Go with the person to the doctor or mental health center to provide information about when the symptoms started and what medications the person is taking, and to answer any other questions.
You should see a GP immediately if you're experiencing symptoms of psychosis. It's important psychosis is treated as soon as possible, as early treatment can be more effective. The GP may ask you some questions to help determine what's causing your psychosis.
A psychotic episode -- when it's hard to tell what is or isn't real -- often needs more medical attention than an ER can give. In that case, you'll need to go to the hospital or mental health facility for a few days or more. The goal is a short stay that prepares you to be safe when you leave.
If a person is showing signs of psychosis, with severely impaired thinking or disorganized speech, Finkelstein says the ER is the right place. And if someone has already been diagnosed with a psychiatric condition and is having serious issues with medications, that's a time to head to the emergency department, too.
Psychosis is a medical emergency and means that a person has lost touch with reality. Prompt and effective care and treatment is critical and depends on identifying the cause.
Often this is linked to extreme stress. But this is not the case all of the time. Your experience of psychosis will usually develop gradually over a period of 2 weeks or less. You are likely to fully recover within a few months, weeks or days.
Clear, honest communication is crucial for all family members. For example, don't be afraid to ask both your ill and healthy children how they feel about the changes to the family. Keeping a line of communication open will help things go more smoothly—both at the time of a new diagnosis, and well into the future.
Unfortunately, people in a psychotic episode won't always willingly get treatment. Until they are making decisions that put them or others in danger we cannot force them to get help. At that point, someone can be admitted to the hospital against their will.
Keep trying, asking questions, listening, and reflecting. Help them feel heard and ask again. Continue to say things like, “I'm really worried about you. I'm thinking we should just go get checked out by a doctor to see what's going on.” Reassure them that you'll stay with them and help them through the process.
Sedation with anti-psychotic agents may help. A common medication used in the hospital setting to treat ICU psychosis is haloperidol or other medications for psychosis (antipsychotics).
People developing a psychotic disorder will often not reach out for help. Someone who is experiencing profound and frightening changes such as psychotic symptoms will often try to keep them a secret. If you are concerned about someone, approach the person in a caring and non judgmental manner to discuss your concerns.
Recovery: The last stage of psychosis is recovery. During this stage, the symptoms of psychosis will lessen and the person will be able to return to a normal routine. This phase usually occurs after the person receives treatment for their mental health disorder or stops using the substance that induced psychosis.
Typically, a psychotic break indicates the first onset of psychotic symptoms for a person or the sudden onset of psychotic symptoms after a period of remission. Symptoms may include delusional thoughts and beliefs, auditory and visual hallucinations, and paranoia.
Psychosis can be very serious, regardless of what is causing the symptoms. The best outcomes result from immediate treatment, and when not treated psychosis can lead to illness, injuries, legal and financial difficulties, and even death.
When Is It Time to Walk Away? In some cases, the decision to leave is obvious. If physical abuse is present to any degree, and especially if the individual fears for their own life or well-being or that of their children, it's important to leave as soon as possible. Safety is the number one priority.
A consultant psychiatrist in the hospital will examine you within 24 hours. If they decide you need to be admitted and you're not willing to stay, you will be admitted against your will.
You may have to go to the hospital if: You're having a psychotic episode. This means that you can't tell the difference between what is real and what isn't real. You talk about suicide or hurting yourself or others.
COMMON PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES
Alcohol & drug withdrawal syndrome & delirium tremens. Depressive stupor or catatonic syndrome. Acute stress reaction with dissociative conversion disorder. Panic disorder with panic attacks.