Presentations to the ED for self-harm or risk of self-harm are very common and are increasing, in all age groups. Regardless of the motivation or intent, these behaviours are associated with a high risk of death. Consider the use of the Mental Health Act 2000 and risk assessments( such as removal of weapons and close observation).
Possible questions:
•‘ How often do you have these thoughts?’
•‘ Do you have a plan of what you might do?’
•‘ Do you have access to tablets / a gun?’
Presentations to the ED for self-harm or risk of self-harm are very common and are increasing, in all age groups. Regardless of the motivation or intent, these behaviours are associated with a high risk of death. Consider the use of the Mental Health Act 2000 and risk assessments( such as removal of weapons and close observation).
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Other Considerations
Other considerations within the mental health assessment include the following:
Dementia Dementia is a common problem. It is not a diagnosis rather a cluster of progressive symptoms, the most common being:
• memory loss and confusion
• intellectual decline
• personality changes.
Subtypes include:
• vascular dementia
• Alzheimer’ s disease
• alcoholic dementia.
Complications of dementia include:
• delirium
• physical illness
• depression
• psychotic symptoms.
Delirium Delirium is not a disorder but a clinical syndrome. It is the cause of much distress and disability and contributes greatly to morbidity and mortality. It is a reversible organic condition characterised by:
• fluctuations in conscious state
• psychomotor agitation
• disorganised thinking
• perceptual disturbances, for example, hallucinations.
Department of Health and Ageing – Emergency Triage Education Kit