Recognition and Treatment of Psychiatric Emergencies for Health Care Providers in the Emergency Department: Panic Attack, Panic Disorder, and Adverse Drug Reactions

Abstract

Mental health disorders are common in the United States and may cause significant disturbances in all aspects of a person’s life. Individuals with mental health disorders often present to emergency departments for health care. Recognizing and managing common psychiatric emergencies may be challenging for non–mental health providers. The Diagnostic Statistical Manual-5 diagnostic criteria will be discussed and reviewed for panic attack and panic disorder. Both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment strategies will also be addressed. Adverse drug reactions associated with antipsychotics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are another common psychiatric emergency that will be examined, offering potential management strategies. The objective of this clinical manuscript is to educate emergency health care providers about specific psychiatric emergencies, including panic attack, panic disorder, and adverse drug reactions associated with mental health treatment medications.