Treatment of Psychiatric Emergencies in Children versus Adults
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Treatment of Psychiatric Emergencies in Children versus Adults
Introduction
Psychiatric emergencies in children and adults is a common experience in healthcare facilities. Children and adults present to the emergency rooms when their behavior is unsafe for themselves and others. Acute symptoms that threaten the safety of life can warrant an emergency visit. Psychiatrists should treat children and adults differently due to their unique characteristics. The case study involves an adult who comes to the psychiatric emergency room after expressing suicidal tendencies. Treatment of children requires parents to confirm the information the children provide. Adults can receive treatment without anyone accompanying them. The legal and ethical issues while dealing with children involve obtaining consent from a parent or guardian (Mroczkowski & Havens, 2018). The purpose of the essay is to examine a case study, compare the treatment of children and adults, and the legal and ethical issues in psychiatric treatment.
Case Study
The case study involves an adult who comes to the psychiatric emergency room in the company of a brother. The brother complains that the patient had expressed suicidal tendencies. According to the report, the patient has been threatening to take away his life after he lost his job. His family has been without food for days and his wife has gone back to live with the parents. He has been abusing alcohol and driving under intoxication. He has been violent to his wife who decided to run away with the children. According to the brother who lives in the neighborhood, the patient has been unable to sleep for weeks. He always reflects on how he lost his job and the dark future ahead of him. The patient has been cutting himself with a knife on the hands to express his anger and frustration. The wife ran away after she considered that her life was at risk due to the negative behavior of the husband.
Adult versus Child Treatment
Treatment of adults and children has some differences since the two groups have special needs. Children and adolescents should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The parent has an important role in giving consent to the treatment or change of medication (Thapar et al., 2015). Adults can receive treatment without anyone accompanying them. Psychiatric treatment of children should consider their bodies cannot withstand high dosage compared to adults. Treatment of children requires parents to confirm the information the children provide (Arias et al., 2017). For example, reports about aggression in school or at home should be accompanied by confirmation from a parent or a report from a teacher.
Legal and Ethical Issues
The legal and ethical issues while dealing with children involve obtaining consent from a parent or guardian. Parents can weigh the risks and benefits associated with treatment and make the best decision in the interest of a child. Parents should consent to the treatment and increase, decrease, or change medication (Thapar et al., 2015). Children and adolescents require practitioners to maintain confidentiality and privacy to encourage them to participate in the treatment. Confidentiality and privacy are crucial in boosting trust and fostering psychiatric treatment (Arias et al., 2017). Parents are essential in the treatment of adolescents and children since they express their values and beliefs. Psychiatric treatment should respect the cultural values and beliefs of children or adolescents (Ventura et al., 2020). The participation of a parent is essential in observing the legal and ethical issues in psychiatric treatment. Observing the legal and ethical issues is vital in respecting individual rights and dignity.
The legal requirements indicate that psychologists should report cases of child abuse or harm. Child welfare services is a department that should follow up on issues to ensure the safety of children (Ventura et al., 2020). Involving the authorities will ensure they investigate the cause of the behavior and the safety of the environment a child is living in. Psychiatrists should not just provide care without questioning if the behavior is a result of parental abuse.
Psychiatrists should emphasize enhancing rapport and trust between children and adults. Trust enhances the ability to provide comprehensive information about their symptoms, causes, and severity (Arias et al., 2017). Children can withhold information if they are not sure if a psychiatrist will share the information with the parents or third parties. Practitioners should assure the children and adolescents that the information will remain confidential (Arias et al., 2017). In some cases, practitioners should hold private sessions with children and adolescents. Some may fear the presence of their parents and withhold information essential in the treatment process.
Conclusion
Treatment of children and adults in psychiatric facilities has some similarities and differences. The case study of a man with suicidal tendencies and violence shows he has acute mental conditions fit for an emergency visit. Children and adolescents should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The parent plays a major role in consenting to treatment. Confidentiality and privacy are crucial in boosting trust and fostering psychiatric treatment. The legal and ethical issues are essential in boosting the quality of treatment and respecting individual rights and dignity.
References
Arias, S. A., Boudreaux, E. D., Segal, D. L., Miller, I., Camargo Jr, C. A., & Betz, M. E. (2017). Disparities in treatment of older adults with suicide risk in the emergency department. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 65(10), 2272-2277. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15011
Mroczkowski, M. M., & Havens, J. (2018). The state of emergency child and adolescent psychiatry: raising the bar. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 27(3), 357-365. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2018.02.001
Thapar, A., Pine, D. S., Leckman, J. F., Scott, S., Snowling, M. J., & Taylor, E. A. (2015). Rutter’s child and adolescent psychiatry (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell.
Ventura, C. A. A., Austin, W., Carrara, B. S., & de Brito, E. S. (2020). Nursing care in mental health: Human rights and ethical issues. Nursing Ethics, 0969733020952102. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733020952102
