The diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric emergencies

Although the majority of psychiatric patients present to the ER in chronic crisis, the clinician should also be familiar with the assessment and management of acute emergencies. Because emergency patients reflect the entire spectrum of psychiatric psychopathology, the primary care physician should consult with a mental health clinician whenever possible. Following a medical model, a thorough diagnostic evaluation should be completed and specific treatment initiated. Most often, the treatment consists of some combination of psychological, pharmacologic, and physical approaches.