Journal of Mental Health and Psychiatry Research

Emergency Management of Psychosis in the Psychiatric Assessment Unit.

Abstract

Yesiru Adeyemi KAREEM

Psychosis is one of the major priority conditions (second only to depression) in the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders. It poses a significant global health concern, with a usual concern for urgent intervention. This review article examines acute management, focusing on the presentation, diagnosis, aetiologies, assessment and the principles of care. Psychosis can range from abnormal behaviour, disorganised behaviour, delusions and hallucinations to other variants of psychosis which can be positive or negative symptoms. Addressing this demands a comprehensive approach involving a patient-centred, multistaged, multidisciplinary and biopsychosocial model. This review advocates for a concerted global effort to manage psychosis effectively to avert the complications in the affected populations. It is imperative for intervention Psychiatrists to regularly improve on assessment and management skills in the emergency to reduce the burden of psychosis.

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