What Happens at the Psychiatric Emergency - A Family’s Complete Guide

From Panic to Plan: Your First Hour

You’ve made the bravest decision—bringing your loved one to the hospital. Now what? Knowing the process turns panic into calm action.

At Parth Hospital, every visitor is met with compassion, not judgment. You’ve already taken the most important step toward recovery.

For pre-arrival tips, see What to Do in a Mental Health Crisis: A Family Action Plan.

📋 The STAMP Method: How We Help

A structured process ensures safety, clarity, and comfort for every family. Learn more about our Emergency & Psychiatry services.

Your Emergency Journey:

ARRIVAL (10 min): Registration, quick safety check
SAFETY ASSESSMENT (15–20 min): Ensure no one is in danger
TRIGGER IDENTIFICATION (20–30 min): What caused this episode?
MENTAL STATE ASSESSMENT (30–45 min): Evaluate thoughts & emotions
MEDICAL ASSESSMENT (30–60 min): Rule out physical causes
TREATMENT PLAN (30 min): Build a personalized roadmap

⏱️ Total time: 2–3 hours for complete assessment

🛡️ Stage 1: Safety First (सुरक्षा सबसे पहले)

Goal: Protect everyone and create calm.

Our Actions:

Private room, quiet space
Remove harmful items (belts, sharps, etc.)
2+ staff present for support
Vitals checked (BP, pulse, temperature)

Why: To ensure safety before diagnosis.
What Family Sees: Calm setting, steady reassurance, structured care.

If you’re arriving now, save our Contact & Directions page.

🔍 Stage 2: Finding the Trigger (कारण खोजना)

We explore what led to the crisis.
Common triggers include:

Family or relationship conflicts
Academic/work stress or job loss
Financial pressure or health issues
Substance use or withdrawal

We also review:

Past mental health episodes
Current/past medications (including Ayurvedic)
Family history of psychiatric conditions

Example: Priya’s psychotic episode began after stopping thyroid medication — a physical cause behind a psychiatric symptom.

Further reading: Warning Signs Your Mental Health May Be Declining

🧠 Stage 3: Understanding Mental State

Like a reflex exam for the brain, we check how thinking, emotions, and judgment function.

Mental Function	What We Check	Example Questions
Thinking	Organized or scattered?	“Tell me about yesterday.”
Reality Testing	Can they separate real from unreal?	“Do you see or hear things others don’t?”
Mood	Depressed, anxious, manic?	“How has your mood been?”
Insight	Do they recognize something’s wrong?	“What do you think is happening?”
Judgment	Can they make safe choices?	Observed through actions.

Families: Some questions may seem strange – each checks a specific brain function.

🩺 Stage 4: Medical Detective Work

We never assume “it’s just psychological.” We check medical causes first.

Common Tests:

Blood work: CBC, thyroid, sugar, vitamins, electrolytes
Why: Many physical problems mimic psychiatric illness.

Examples:

Thyroid imbalance → mood swings
B12 deficiency → confusion or psychosis
Low blood sugar → aggression or irritability
Infection → sudden behavior change

Analogy: Just like checking a car’s battery before assuming the engine’s failed—we test the body before treating the mind.

Also see: Progression of Psychiatric Illness Over Time

📝 Stage 5: Creating the Treatment Plan

Every plan is made with the family.

Situation	Treatment	Duration
Immediate danger	Hospital admission	3–7 days
Severe but stable	Day-care program	Home nights
Moderate crisis	Medications + follow-up	Outpatient
Medication adjustment	Weekly monitoring	As advised

We ask families:
✅ Can you supervise medicines at home?
✅ Is the environment safe?
✅ Can someone stay 24/7 initially?

We never make decisions without family involvement.

Ultra Brief Pulse / ECT (when indicated)
rTMS for specific symptoms
Psychoeducation & family support programs

🌿 The Gentleness Ladder: Calming a Crisis

Our care philosophy: gentle first, medicine last.

LEVEL 1: 🗣️ Talking & Calm Space – quiet room, reassurance, family presence
LEVEL 2: 🎵 Sensory Comfort – music, weighted blanket, warm chai, breathing
LEVEL 3: 💊 Medication – only if required; lowest effective dose
LEVEL 4: 🛡️ Physical Safety – only if danger to self/others, removed promptly

“I expected chaos. Instead, it was the calmest place my son had been.” – Meera (A mother)

Family story: A Day in Our ECT Suite: Safety First

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Healing Power of Family

Your presence is medicine.
When families stay calm and supportive, biology changes:

Brain Change	What Happens
↑ Oxytocin	Patient feels safe
↓ Cortisol	Anxiety drops
❤️ Heart & breathing stabilize	Recovery accelerates

Practical guidance: How to Talk About Your Mental Illness (Family Guide)

What Families Should Do

Helpful:
✅Stay calm & cooperative
✅Share full medical/substance history
✅Ask questions and take notes
✅Bring comforting items (food, prayer beads)

Avoid:
❌ Arguing with patient’s beliefs
❌ Blaming or shaming
❌ False promises (“All will be fine tomorrow”)
❌ Bringing large crowds

Tip: Only 2–3 family members should stay with the patient.

💰 Insurance & Financial Support

We accept private insurance, Ayushman Bharat, Mediclaim, and corporate policies. If uninsured, our financial counselors connect you to government or NGO schemes.
👉 Get help first—payment comes later.

For queries or estimates: Contact us.

🏠 Admission or Going Home?

Admit if:

Suicide or violence risk
No safe supervision at home
Severe or unstable symptoms

Can go home if:

Family can monitor 24/7
Patient cooperative with medication
Home environment is stable

⏳ Most admissions last 3–5 days, followed by outpatient care.

📦 Before You Leave

You’ll receive:
✅ Clear medication schedule
✅ Follow-up appointment (3–7 days)
✅ Warning signs checklist
✅ 24/7 emergency contact
✅ Family education kit

💚 Final Note

The hardest step is walking through those doors. Once you do, you’re no longer alone.
Our team—doctors, nurses, counselors, and staff—becomes your extended family, working with one shared goal:

“Healing your loved one and strengthening your family.”

With proper treatment and family support, recovery isn’t just possible—it’s expected.