Altered Mental Status
Mental Health Disorders
Mental Health (continued)
Suicide Facts
Suicide Prevention
100
Normal mentation-characterized by complete and accurate awareness of one’s surroundings. Aware of who he/she is, where they are, current date and time, and events going on around them.
What is alert and oriented x4? “A & O x4”
100
Most common type of mental health condition. Can be triggered by specific events or environments.
Interferes with one's ability to function and often overreact when something triggers emotions.
Symptoms include: feelings of panic/worry, sense of impending doom/danger, rapid HR, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness
What is anxiety?
100
Number one priority when dealing with psychiatric emergencies/patients
What is scene/patient safety?
100
"Talking about suicide causes someone to be suicidal"
What is a popular suicide myth?
100
988- call or text
What is the Suicide and Crisis lifeline?
200
seizure, stroke, brain bleed, brain tumor, diabetic emergency, poisonings/overdose, low oxygen levels, shock, hypoxia, infection, head injury, psychiatric condition, kidney failure, dementia
What are possible causes of altered mental status?
200
Mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest and can affect how you feel, think and behave.
Many people have troubles with doing normal day activities and many feel like their life isn't worth living.
Symptoms can include: feeling of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness, angry outbursts, loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, sleep disturbances, tiredness and lack of energy, reduced appetite or weight loss or weight gain
What is depression?
200
When a patient is thinking about or considering the idea of death and commiting suicide.
The thoughts may or may not include a plan
What is suicidal ideations?
200
The most common method used in suicides- used in more than 50% of suicides.
What are firearms?
200
A fire department is _____times more likely in any given year to lose a firefighter to suicide than to a death in the line of duty
What is 3?
300
What is Glascow Coma Scale?
300
Also known as “manic depression”- this is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. It is a chronic mood disorder that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels and behavior.
This includes emotional highs- known as mania or hypomania, and lows-known as depression
What is bipolar disorder?
300
A psychiatric emergency that involves the sudden onset of clear psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking
People experience a disconnections from reality and may have false beliefs or experience things that aren’t real.
Common causes: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, dementia, meningitis, stroke, alcohol or drugs, severe head injuries
What is acute psychosis?
300
Suicide rates are among the highest in this age/age group?
What is age 85 or older?
300
Attempted suicide before
Feel hopeless, worthless, agitated, socially isolated or lonely
Experience a stressful life event, such as the loss of a loved one, military service, a breakup, or financial or legal problems
Have a substance abuse problem — alcohol and drug abuse can worsen thoughts of suicide and make you feel reckless or impulsive enough to act on your thoughts
Have suicidal thoughts and have access to firearms in your home
Have an underlying psychiatric disorder, such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder
Have a family history of mental disorders, substance abuse, suicide, or violence, including physical or sexual abuse
What are the risk factors of suicide?
400
Our most important priority (AFTER SAFETY) with altered mental status patients?
What is airway management?
400
mental health condition that caused by extremely stressful or terrifying event. (either being apart of it or witnessing it)
Symptoms can include: flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, or uncontrollable thoughts about the event
What is PTSD?
Post Traumatic stress disorder
400
Patient who experiences an addiction
Alcohol - *most common type
Substances can include: alcohol, cocaine, meth, THC/cannabis, tobacco, or opioids
What is substance abuse?
400
How many people die each minute from suicide?
(IN THE US)
11
400
Recent suicide attempt
Increased alcohol or drug use
Losing interest in personal appearance or hygiene
Withdrawing from family, friends, or community
Saying goodbye to friends and family
Giving away prized possessions
A recent episode of depression, emotional distress, and/or anxiety
Changes in eating and/or sleeping patterns
Becoming violent or being a victim of violence
Expressing rage
Recklessness
What are the warning signs of suicide?
500
3 important things we must think about with all UNCONSCIOUS altered mental status patients?
1. scene & patient safety
2. ABC's- protect their airway
3.Check a blood sugar
500
Mental health condition that affects how people think, feel and behave. Can include a mix of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking and behavior.
Usually patients will not be in touch with reality.
Often they are paranoid, have many different hallucinations, disorganized speech and thinking which causes them to not be able to hold conversations with others, and extremely disorganized behaviors that affect their daily life.
What is schizoprhenia?
500
sudden intense feelings of fear that causes rapid heart rate,sweating, and tachypnea.
What is a panic attack?
500
3 states with the highest suicide rates
What is Alaska, Montana and Wyoming?
500
NAME 2 of the 5 ways we as a department or (you, individually) can help to prevent suicide