Psychobehavioral Disorders

Abstract

Emergency departments (EDs) have seen an increase in patients presenting with psychobehavioral emergencies in the past 20 years. Some of this increase is due to the severe shortage of mental health professionals across the country, and some is due to an increase in the incidence of psychiatric disorders. Patients can present to the ED themselves or can be brought in by emergency medical services or law enforcement under an involuntary hold. The presentations range from intentional ingestions and other suicide attempts to depression, psychosis, and medication interactions. Substance abuse is also common in this population and can exacerbate underlying conditions. Patients who present for other medical complaints and have an underlying history of mental illness are usually taking psychiatric medications that can have drug interactions. It is imperative that a practicing emergency medicine physician be aware of the multitude of drug interactions and side effects.