Even though mental health problems are common, there is still a level of stigma that surrounds the disorder and prevents people from seeking the prompt treatment they need. And when treatment is delayed, symptoms related to an upset in our emotional, psychological, and social well-being can be dramatically impacted.
In this piece, we’ll take a look at some of the early warning signs that someone you know may be suffering from some type of mental distress. That way, as a friend or family member, you’ll be better equipped to encourage them to seek treatment from a trauma care center or an emergency room in Houston so they can receive the treatment they need.
No One is Immune from the Condition
One of the most talked-about mental health concerns in today’s world is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which affects countless military veterans every day. But beyond that segment of the population, PTSD can also impact the lives of anyone who has undergone some form of traumatic life event such as physical or sexual abuse, discovering infidelity in a marriage, or an adolescent traumatic event, to name a few examples.
Although the most common symptom of PTSD is associated with reliving traumatic events such as military combat, the disorder can also manifest in non-veterans in the demonstration of negative or suicidal thoughts, increased anger and rage, and the avoidance of things, people, and places that were once enjoyable.
Often, when someone is undergoing a PTSD event, they will suffer physical symptoms such as elevated blood pressure, an increase in heart rate, and rapid breathing. Other symptoms of an event might be less noticeable, which makes it even more important for a caretaker to have identified an ER near them to seek treatment for testing and observation.
It’s not only PTSD that requires treatment. And it’s not always an adult. Studies have shown that one out of every 10 children in this country have experienced a period of depression – with half of those disorders affecting someone before they turn 14 years old.
How to Tell When It’s Time to Offer Your Help to Someone You Know
Some of the signs that you can look for if you’re trying to help someone get treatment for a suspected psychiatric disorder include a change in their eating, sleeping, or social activities, a change in their use of drugs or alcohol, a change in their temperaments such as mood swings, unexplained rage, or their sense of well-being, and comments about harming either themselves or others.
If you’re trying to help someone work through a mental disorder and the situation becomes dangerous for you, the person you’re trying to help, or anyone else, the first thing you should do is call 9-1-1. If, however, the person you’re trying to help is not placing themselves or anyone else in danger and agree to seek treatment, there are facilities available 24/7 like Memorial Heights Emergency Center that can perform psychiatric evaluations in Houston without the need of an appointment.
Testing and Observation are Equally Important in Psychiatric Evaluations
There is a wide range of testing to help patients cope with their disorder. Some of these include screening questionnaires, symptom rating scales, neuropsychological tests, and self- or peer-reporting. Equally important in some instances is observation.
At Memorial Heights Emergency Center, we offer testing and observation in our facility for various medical conditions, including mental disorders. We don’t believe we’ve done our job until a patient has received the testing and treatment plan they need to either fully recover from their condition or be connected with a resource for long-term care.
Our team of board-certified physicians and staff are trained to not only test for signs of a mental disorder but to provide the best treatment plan or referral for recovery. This may occasionally require that a patient be admitted into observation so the best treatment protocol can be established.
Our commitment to patient health is to make sure that everyone we treat is on the best path to recovery – whether it’s evaluating mental illness, assessing workplace injuries, pregnancy complications, or any other emergency medical need.