What to Do When a Loved One Experiences a Psychiatric Emergency

(SPOT.ph) We are taught what to look out for in times of medical emergencies like heart attacks, but what about in cases of a psychiatric emergency? This forces many to only seek or receive help when they reach a breaking point—or what healthcare professionals would call a psychiatric emergency.

Psychiatric emergencies are situations in which “a patient's mental condition is such that his or her judgment is so impaired that without immediate intervention, the patient is likely to suffer serious bodily harm, serious physical debilitation, or death, or serious harm to others,” according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

These can encompass a wide range of conditions and circumstances, such as trauma, severe depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, panic attacks, violent behavior, psychosis, or substance abuse-related crises.

Like other medical emergencies, psychiatric emergencies require immediate assessment and intervention in the hospital emergency room (ER). However, only a few hospitals in the Philippines are equipped to handle such emergencies.

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Hospitals with psychiatric emergency care in Metro Manila

Different hospitals have varied approaches to psychiatric emergencies. Most hospitals will only accept direct admissions (especially for patients with an existing record in the hospital), but some will accept ER admissions related to psychiatric concerns.

SPOT.ph has confirmed the availability of psychiatric emergency services with the following hospitals:

Makati Medical Center

The Neuropsychiatry Section of the Makati Medical Center is manned 24/7, and has a secure anteroom, acute care room, home theater system, visitor’s lounge, recreational therapy area, and private wards.

Makati Medical Center is at 2 Amorsolo Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City. For more information, visit the official website.

The Medical City

The Medical City is one of the few private hospitals in the country with a dedicated unit for psychiatric care. It has a 21-bed facility at the lower ground floor with medical staff who are trained to respond in psychiatric emergencies at any time.

The Medical City is at Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. For more information, visit the official website.

National Center for Mental Health

The National Center for Mental Health is a crucial resource for psychiatric care, being the government institution that provides specialized services on a national scale. Outpatient services are also available for children, adolescents, and adults.

The National Center for Mental Health is at 9 De Pebrero Street, Mauway, Mandaluyong City. For more information, visit the official website.

What to do before and during a psychiatric emergency 

There are warning signs to observe in an impending psychiatric emergency, such as behavioral changes (aggression, withdrawal, or self-harm tendencies), mood fluctuations (intense anxiety or overwhelming despair), and thought disorders (disorganized thinking, hallucinations, or delusions).

Seeing many of these signs in your loved one? In case it happens, Makati Medical Center has compiled a list of actions to do if your loved one is experiencing a psychiatric emergency:

• Be patient.
• Keep your voice calm.
• Ask how you can help instead of trying to take control.
• Keep stimulation levels low. No shouting or raising of voices.
• Avoid continuous eye contact.
• Avoid touching the person unless you ask permission.
• Move slowly. Gently announce actions before initiating them.
• Give them space. Don’t make them feel trapped.
• Do what your loved one wants as long as it’s safe and reasonable. Complying with requests helps them regain some sense of control.
• Seek immediate professional help by bringing your loved one to the nearest emergency room.
• Don’t assign blame and guilt to others. The illness is no one’s fault.

Also read: As Student Suicide Rates Go Up, PGCA Points to a Need for 47,000 More Guidance Counselors