PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES IN THE GENERAL HOSPITAL

Psychiatric emergencies may occur in a variety of clinical settings, including outpatient visits, the emergency department, or the general hospital. For this reason, it is important that both psychiatrists and other specialists are trained for their initial recognition and management. Particularly in the context of the general hospital, it is important to consider the association between medical and psychiatric illnesses, from physical symptoms that may be due to a psychiatric disorder, to psychiatric symptoms that are the result of organic diseases, medications or substance abuse. In addition, this article provides elements for the management of some particularly relevant psychiatric emergencies, such as suicidal ideation, psychomotor agitation or delirium, where initial interventions may be important for patient evolution and prognosis.