Preparing for a Mental Health Crisis
PREPARING for a crisis
No one wants to worry about the possibility of a crisis—but sometimes it can’t be avoided.
It’s rare that a person suddenly loses control of thoughts, feelings and behavior. General behavior changes often occur before a crisis. Examples include sleeplessness, ritualistic preoccupation with certain activities, increased suspiciousness, unpredictable outbursts, increased hostility, verbal threats, angry staring or grimacing.
Don’t ignore these changes, talk with your loved one and encourage them to visit their doctor or therapist. The more symptomatic your family member becomes, the more difficult it may be to convince them to seek treatment. If you’re feeling like something isn’t right, talk with your loved one and voice your concern. If necessary, take action to get services for them and support for yourself.
When a mental health crisis begins, it is likely your family member is unaware of the impact of their behavior. Auditory hallucinations, or voices, may be giving life-threatening suggestions or commands. The person believes they are hearing, seeing or feeling things that aren’t there. Don’t underestimate the reality and vividness of hallucinations. Accept that your loved one has
an altered state of reality and don’t argue with them about their experience. In extreme situations, the person may act on these sensory distortions.
*If you are alone and feel safe with them, call a trusted friend, neighbor or family member to come be with you until professional help arrives.
In the meantime, the following tips may be helpful:
✔ Learn all you can about the illness your family member has.
✔ Remember that other family members are also affected, so keep lines of communication open by talking with each other.
✔ Avoid guilt and assigning blame to others.
✔ Learn to recognize early warning signs of relapse, such as changes in sleeping patterns, increasing social withdrawal, inattention to hygiene, and signs of irritability.
✔ Do what your loved one wants, as long as it’s reasonable and safe.
✘ Don’t shout or raise your voice.
✘ Don’t threaten; this may be interpreted as a play for power and increase fear or prompt an assault.
✘ Don’t criticize or make fun of the person.
✘ Don’t argue with other family members, particularly in your loved one’s presence.
✘ Avoid direct, continuous eye contact or touching the person.
✘ Don’t block the doorway or any other exit.
A CRISIS PLAN
A crisis plan is a written plan developed by the person with the mental health condition and their support team, typically family and close friends. It’s designed to address symptoms and behaviors and help prepare for a crisis. Every plan is individualized, some common elements include:
- Person’s general information
- Family information
- Behaviors present before the crisis occurs, strategies and treatments that have worked in the past, a list of what actions or people that are likely to make the situation worse, a list of what helps calm the person or reduces symptoms
- Current medication(s) and dosages
- Current diagnoses
- History of suicide attempts, drug use or psychosis
- Treatment choices/preferences
- Local crisis lines
- Addresses and contact information for nearby crisis centers or emergency rooms
- Mobile crisis unit information, if there is one in the area
- Contact information for healthcare professionals (phone and email)
- Supports - adults the person has a trusting relationship with such as neighbors, friends, family members, favorite teacher or counselor at school, people at faith communities or work acquaintances
- Safety plans
*Remember that the best time develop a crisis plan is when things are going well and you can create it together.
The crisis plan is a collaboration between the person with the mental health condition and the family. Once developed, the plan should be shared by the person with involved family, friends and professionals. It should be updated whenever there is a change in diagnosis, medication, treatment or providers. A sample crisis plan can be obtained at www.nami.org.
Contact Info
Phone:
301-538-8537
Email: info@banjafoundation.com