How one family navigated psychiatric crisis at Parth Hospital Ahmedabad.
3:17 AM – The Call That Changes Everything
Mrs. Sharma’s hands trembled as she dialed 108. Her 24-year-old son Arjun lay unconscious, empty medicine strips scattered around him. The note on his bedside table stole her breath.
This wasn’t supposed to happen in their family. Arjun had a good job, loving parents, everything going for him. But depression had been silently winning for months, and tonight it nearly succeeded.
What followed was 24 hours that would teach her family what psychiatric emergency care truly is—and that recovery can happen faster than anyone imagines.
Learn more about the signs and treatment of depression in our detailed blog on Early Warning Signs of Depression.
Hour 0-3: Racing Against Time (रात 3 बजे से सुबह 6 बजे)
3:30 AM – Emergency Room:
While Mrs. Sharma wept in the waiting room, the team moved with practiced urgency:
- Stabilizing heart and lungs
- IV oxygen and fluids
- Treating the overdose medically
- Blood tests to identify what he’d taken
- Vital signs monitored constantly
5:00 AM – Medical Crisis Controlled: Arjun was stable. Blood pressure steady. The immediate physical danger had passed.
But the psychiatric team knew: Saving his life was just the beginning. Saving his mind—that’s the real work.
For insights on emergency mental health care, visit our Psychiatric Emergency Services page.
Hour 3-6: The Hardest Conversation (सुबह 6 बजे से 9 बजे)
What Arjun Experienced vs. Reality
| What He Felt | What Was Actually Happening |
|---|---|
| “They’re imprisoning me” | Medical team keeping him safe |
| “No one understands” | Brain chemicals severely imbalanced |
| “I want to be alone” | Depression lying to him |
| “I’m angry at everyone” | Normal response to feeling loss of control |
For families: This is the illness talking, not who they really are.
Families can read about managing such crises in our blog on Managing Mental Health Crises.
Hour 6-12: Building Trust (9 बजे से 3 बजे)
9:00 AM – The Psychiatric Ward:
Not like the movies. Arjun had a clean, single room with natural light. Staff checked on him regularly but gave him space. TV was on—cricket, his favorite.
What happened:
- 45-minute psychiatrist session (conversation, not interrogation)
- Medication started to rebalance brain chemistry
- Social worker counseled Mrs. Sharma
- Breakfast delivered (his favorite—poha)
- Allowed to rest, process, just be safe
Mrs. Sharma: “I expected a cold, clinical place. Instead, everyone spoke kindly. They kept saying, ‘Your son will be okay. We do this every day. You did the right thing.'”
Discover the power of therapy and family support in our post on Family Involvement in Recovery.
Hour 12-18: First Glimmers (दोपहर 3 बजे से रात 9 बजे)
3:00 PM – Family Visit:
Arjun sat on his bed, still withdrawn but calmer. No yelling this time.
“Maa, I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Those three words were the first sign his brain was coming back.
What the medication had done:
- Calmed hyperactive fear center
- Started restoring chemical balance
- Reduced overwhelming urge to harm himself
- Allowed clearer thinking to return
Read more in our article on How Family Presence Speeds Healing.
Hour 18-24: Hope Returns (रात 9 बजे से अगले दिन सुबह 3 बजे)
For the first time in weeks, Arjun slept through the night—not drugged unconsciousness, but restorative healing sleep.
Morning brought:
- Clearer eyes
- Willingness to talk about what happened
- Interest in eating
- First time asking: “How is Papa handling this?”
- Beginning to engage with his therapist
The psychiatrist at 24 hours: “Your son isn’t ‘cured’—healing takes months. But the crisis is over. His brain chemistry is stabilizing. He’s starting to recognize he was sick. This is exactly the progress we want.”
For additional insights, explore our blog on rTMS Treatment for Faster Recovery.
What Made the Difference
The Three Life-Saving Elements:
- Medical Treatment – Overdose reversal, psychiatric medication, continuous monitoring
- Safe Environment – No self-harm means, structured routine, 24/7 trained supervision, peer support
- Family Involvement – Research proves family presence speeds stabilization by 40-60%
When family visits, the patient’s brain releases calming chemicals (oxytocin) and stress hormones decrease. Your presence is medicine.
The Truth About “24-Hour Recovery”
NOT: Fully healed in 24 hours
YES: Crisis stabilized, hope restored, healing begun
Arjun’s journey continued: 7 more hospital days, weekly psychiatrist visits for 3 months, daily medication, monthly therapy, family counseling, support group.
Today, 2 years later: Working, in a relationship, volunteers for mental health awareness. Takes medication daily, has a crisis plan ready.
Critical Lessons
If crisis hits at 3 AM:
- Call 108 or go to hospital – Don’t wait for morning
- Act fast – Every hour matters
- Trust medical professionals – Even when patient is angry
- Stay present – Your presence accelerates healing
- Have hope – 24 hours can change everything
Signs you need emergency help NOW:
- Suicide attempt or clear plan
- Any overdose
- Complete break from reality
- Cannot ensure own safety
- Family feels genuinely afraid
“At 3 AM, seeking help felt like surrender. By 3 PM the next day, I knew it was the most loving thing I could do.” – Mrs. Sharma
🆘 If you or someone you know is in crisis:
National Suicide Prevention: 9152987821
KIRAN Mental Health: 1800-599-0019
For personalized help, contact Parth Hospital.
