Understanding a Mental Health Crisis
What Is Considered a Mental Health Crisis?
A mental health crisis, also called a mental health emergency, is when your mental health is in significant emotional distress, dysfunction, and/or a danger to yourself or others.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can feel incapable of coping with challenges and paralyzed.You may also experience severe anxiety, aggressive behavior, suicidal thoughts, and may require immediate acute psychiatric care.
You can reach out to a crisis helpline if you have thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or harming others.
Is a Mental Breakdown the Same as a Mental Health Crisis?
Yes, the term mental breakdown is interchangeable with the term mental health crisis.
Both terms refer to a situation in which you feel overwhelming stress, and your ability to function in daily life is negatively affected.
How Long Does a Mental Health Crisis Last?
The duration of a mental health crisis varies from one individual to another.
You may experience a mental health crisis for several hours to weeks. However, everyone is different and has unique situations, stressors, and capacity to cope with specific events.
Causes and Triggers
What Triggers a Mental Health Crisis?
Much like how the symptoms of a mental health crisis vary from one individual to another, the triggers of a mental health crisis also differ from individual to individual.
However, numerous stressors can increase the potential of a mental health crisis, including:
- Loss of a family member or loved one
- Traumatic event
- Divorce, separation, or breakup
- Loneliness
- Loss of a job
- Academic problems
- Discontinuing or switching mental health treatment
- Environmental disaster (hurricane, earthquake, fire)
- Substance abuse
- Medical condition
Can Genetics Contribute to a Mental Health Crisis?
Yes, your genetics can play a significant role in being genetically predisposed to the development of mental health conditions.
The role of genetics in mental health is connected to your genome, which contains approximately 20,000 genes. These genomes have variations that can increase or decrease your risk of developing a mental health condition like anxiety or depression.
Research shows that mental health conditions run in families, meaning they can be inherited. Additionally, studies show that there are hundreds of genetic loci (a specific spot on chromosomes where particular genes or genetic markers are) variants that can also play a role in developing a mental health crisis.
Can Substance Use Trigger a Mental Health Crisis?
Yes, substance use disorders can increase the risk of or worsen mental health conditions and can lead to a mental health crisis.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), substance use and mental health conditions can be connected because of the following:
- Certain drugs or alcohol can cause individuals to experience symptoms of a mental health crisis
- Mental health challenges can sometimes lead to alcohol or drug use because some with a mental health condition may misuse substances to self-medicate
- Substance use and mental health conditions share underlying causes
- Brain chemistry
- Genetics
- Stress
- Trauma
Warning Signs of a Mental Health Crisis
What Does a Mental Health Crisis Look Like?
To better understand and recognize the symptoms of a mental health crisis, they are grouped into the following categories:
- Emotional Signs
- Overwhelming feelings of sadness
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Extreme mood swings
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Feeling like a burden to loved ones
- Physical Signs
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Unexplained headaches or stomach problems
- Lack of energy
- Weight loss or gain
- Behavioral Signs
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Withdrawal or isolation from social interactions
- Difficulty focusing or concentrating
- Thoughts of self-harm
- Neglecting personal hygiene
While the symptoms of a mental health crisis can be different for individuals, one or more of the emotional, physical, and behavioral signs can be present during a mental health crisis.
If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, reach out ot the Suicide Prevention crisis text line or crisis lifeline. You can speak with a mental health professional who is trained in crisis intervention.
You can also reach out to Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility’s admissions team to see if you qualify for our inpatient acute crisis care.
How Do You Tell if You Are in a Crisis?
A mental health crisis can be overwhelming when you’re going through one, especially if you don’t know the symptoms; however, the following signs can help you identify a mental health crisis:
- Changes in Behavior: When experiencing a mental health crisis, you may engage in risky behavior, become violent or abusive towards yourself or others, and act on thoughts of self-harm.
- The Urge to Harm: You may have thoughts or the need to harm yourself or others.
- Emotional Changes: If you feel you can’t control your emotions, have extreme mood swings, and have irrational or unexplained anger or irritation, you should talk with your primary care provider or a behavioral health professional.
- Cognitive Issues: Experiencing cognitive issues can be as challenging as emotional or physical symptoms. Some of the mental symptoms of a mental health crisis include fear, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions.
- Dietary Changes: The loss of or an increased appetite are also signs of a mental health crisis.
If you think you are having a mental health crisis, reach out to a mental health professional as soon as possible.
Can You Be Aware of Your Own Mental Health Crisis?
Yes, you can be aware that you’re having a mental health crisis.
When you learn how to recognize changes in your behavior, emotions, or ability to function in daily activities, you can spot warning signs of a mental health crisis.
At Ocean View, our focus is on providing you with the compassionate, safe care you need to understand and identify your mental health disorder’s symptoms so you can control and maintain your mental well-being.
Mental Health Crisis and Loved Ones
How Does Mental Health Affect Loved Ones?
The effects of mental health on family members and caregivers are significant; family members can feel stressed, tense, and emotionally strained.
Your loved ones may also not understand what you’re experiencing or how to support you. However, there are support groups that can help them process their feelings and learn about your mental health disorder and the mental health care you need.
How Can I Support a Loved One Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis?
Helping a loved one who is undergoing a mental health crisis can be challenging if you don’t know what to do, but learning about and being prepared allows you to act quickly when you spot the signs of a mental health crisis.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) suggests a few of the things you can do to help a loved one:
- Stay Calm: Gentle, calm responses can de-escalate tension during a mental health crisis. Additionally, a calm response decreases the risk of an argument or confrontation about their beliefs or behaviors.
- Be Supportive: During a mental health crisis, your loved one’s thoughts and behaviors can be distressing to them. Offer empathy by saying statements like, “I’m here for you, and I’m glad you came to me to talk.”
- Offer to Help Find Resources: A primary care provider can give a referral to a mental health professional for therapy or other necessary services.
It is crucial to call emergency services or a crisis response provider if necessary.
What Do You Say to Someone Having a Mental Health Crisis?
Knowing words of encouragement are essential when you have someone you care about or love going through a mental health crisis.
Here are a few phrases that can help you support them:
- “What can I do to help?”
- “Do you want to talk? I’m here for you.”
- “Why don’t we go somewhere quieter or go for a walk?”
- “That sounds really hard (difficult, challenging). How are you coping?”
- “It’s okay to feel like this.”
Practice active listening, which means listen without judgment, the need to fix things, or thinking about what you’re going to say.
Taking a Proactive Approach to a Mental Health Crisis
What Can I Do During a Mental Health Crisis?
It’s important to stay calm and seek help from a trained mental health professional during a mental health crisis.
You can also call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Additionally, you can go to the emergency room or call emergency services.
What Is a Proactive Approach to Mental Health?
Focusing on maintaining mental well-being and addressing mental health concerns before they intensify into worsening or severe conditions is a proactive approach to mental health.
What Is an Example of a Proactive Approach?
There are several examples of taking a proactive approach to mental health, including:
- Regular check-ups with your health care provider
- Advancing mental health education and awareness
- Encouraging healthy lifestyles that include physical activity, relaxation techniques such as guided meditation or deep breathing, and a healthy diet
- Save money for early intervention, such as therapy or other preventive measures, to reduce healthcare costs
When you integrate proactive mental health approaches into your life, you can maintain a higher quality of life, increase your productivity, enjoy hobbies, and build and strengthen relationships.
What Are Crisis Services?
Crisis services can act as interventions or as a crisis response when you are experiencing a mental health crisis.
Often, these services include a wide variety of treatments. The services you receive may differ from others based on the severity of your symptoms and where you live.
Some examples of crisis services include:
- Helplines
- Community crisis mental health urgent care centers/centers/programs
- Psychiatric health facilities or treatment centers, such as Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility
- Psychiatric emergency programs
- Mobile crisis teams
- Emergency departments (rooms)
Should I Contact a Crisis Service?
When your mental health symptoms are severe or you have thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or harming others, you must contact a crisis service.
These services are available 24/7 and can help you stabilize from an acute psychiatric episode.
Treatment For a Mental Health Crisis
How Do I Know When It’s Time to Get Help?
While every mental health disorder is different, you should seek help if you have the following symptoms:
- Noticeable change in your personality, sleeping, or eating habits
- Feeling disconnected from people or activities
- Isolating yourself from others
- An inability to cope with daily life, activities, and responsibilities
- Unusual thinking, for example, thinking that your thoughts can change or influence the world.
- Severe anxiety
- Extreme mood swings
- Thoughts of self-harm, harming others, or suicide
- Depression or prolonged sadness
- Substance abuse
- Irrational anger, hostility, or violent behavior
How Can I Find a Healthcare Provider or Treatment?
You can begin finding a healthcare provider or mental health treatment by reaching out to your primary care provider (PCP).
While visiting your PCP, you can discuss your symptoms, and they can give you a referral to a mental health treatment center or provider.
Another option is to use an online directory, such as NAMI or SAMHSA, to find a therapist or treatment center near you. Additionally, you can call helplines that can assist you in finding the right treatment center or mental health care for your needs.
Do I Need Emergency Room Care?
If your symptoms include urges to harm yourself or others or if you are thinking about suicide, you need emergency room care.
Furthermore, if your symptoms (such as hallucinations or delusions) are significantly disrupting your daily life, you should seek care. It’s okay to go to an emergency room for help; doing so ensures your safety.
What Can the ER Do for a Mental Health Crisis?
Emergency rooms are equipped to provide immediate intervention and medical evaluation for a mental health crisis.
Psychiatrists are available to give comprehensive psychiatric assessments, medication management, and stabilization of your acute psychiatric crisis.
Will I Require Medication?
A mental health provider will determine if you need medication for your mental health crisis.
Mental health providers consider the severity of your symptoms and your specific mental health condition before they decide whether or not they will recommend medication.
You can talk with your mental health provider to learn about the benefits of medication if it’s recommended.
Acute Psychiatric Care for a Mental Health Crisis
Psychosis Treatment at Ocean View
At Ocean View, we provide successful, evidence-based therapies in mental health care for individuals in need of acute psychiatric care.
Our Long Beach psychiatric health facility offers a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where you will receive treatment that is tailored to your unique needs.
While at Ocean View, our multidisciplinary team of doctors, therapists, and skilled medical staff will guide you to better mental health through your crisis. Our inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs reflect your personal interests, values, needs, and choices.
When you begin treatment with Ocean View, you will develop a treatment plan that reflects where you are and create your goals for life once you transition back.
We offer empathetic, supportive counseling that places you with others who share similar symptoms. Our facility has private rooms so you can retreat and process what you havelearned in group sessions.
As you transition from one level to another, your treatment plan will change to include your goals. Before you transition back into your life, you will be given the resources necessary to help you maintain your clinical improvement.
FAQs
Yes, dehydration can trigger psychosis.
The risk of psychosis increases when you have a severe electrolyte imbalance. You can have symptoms such as disorientation, hallucinations, and confusion.