What to look for?
Name that disorder
How to approach?
100

This is what you can see of a person's response to the environment: his or her actions. 

What is behavior 

100

Patient explains feeling persistent sadness and despair which had lead to hopelessness and decreased daily functioning 

what is chronic depression 

100

Entertaining certain delusions to get the patient to listen to you or step away from harm. may help them see you are not a threat 

playing along 

200

describes the situation involving patients of all ages who exhibit agitated, violent, or uncooperative behavior or who are a danger to themselves or others.

what is a behavioral crisis 

200

family tells you the patients actions have become more prominent over time and include delusions, hallucinations, a lack of interest in pleasure, and erratic speech.

what is schizophrenia

200

Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques that encourage patients to express their feelings and to achieve a positive relationship.

therapietic commiunication 

300

An emergency in which abnormal behavior threatens a person's own health and safety or the health and safety of another person-for example, when a person becomes suicidal or homicidal, or has a psychotic episode 

what is a behavioral health emergency 

300

Family called EMS because they feel their daughter is saying she is the queen of England. Living in her own reality she becomes belligerent and angry toward others who try to tell her differently. She has become increasing withdrawn only muttering to herself or sitting in silence

what is psychosis 

300


Employ active listening. Carefully listen to what the other person has to say, and let the person know you are doing so.

Acknowledge what the person is saying, and do not interrupt, disagree, or give commands.


2. Display empathy. Use your emotional intelligence to understand the patient's perspective. You do not have to agree with the person or condone his or her actions, but you have to understand where the person is coming from and what the person wants.


3. Build a rapport. Once you have listened to the person and understand where he or she is coming from, it is much easier, especially in a crisis, to empathize with the person and "speak the person's language."


4. Exert influence. Look at realistic solutions to move the situation forward in a positive way. Understanding the person's perspective along with your own needs, consider how you can move forward in a way the person will understand. Initiate behavior change: Propose a solution that makes sense to the other person and is acceptable to you.

steps for deescalation adapted from FBI 

400

This is an illness with psychological or behavioral symptoms that may result in impaired functioning.

psychiatric disorder 

400

A temporary change in mental status characterized by disorganized thoughts, inattention, memory loss, disorientation, striking changes in personality and affect, hallucinations, delusions, or a decreased level of consciousness.

what is delirium

400

Improper Technique

Provide false hope or reassurance.

Give unsolicited advice.

Ask leading or biased questions.

Talk too much.

Interrupt the patient.

Use "why" questions.

Use authoritative language.

Speak in professional

what is improper techniques/ techniques to avoid 

500

a patient becoming increasing hostile towards EMS that could cause injury 

What is combative behavior 

500

A serious behavioral condition in which a person exhibits agitated behavior combined with disorientation, hallucinations, or delusions; also called agitated delirium or exhaustive mania.

what is excited delirium

500

May be needed for hostile patients with the help of Law Enforcement 

Forcible restraint