Crisis intervention in psychiatric emergencies: a selection for admission to psychiatric services

Background. The Emergency Psychiatric Unit has been established for several years at the Psychiatric Clinic of Milan University, with the aim of obtaining a complete diagnostic picture and providing specific and immediate treatment for all patients facing an acute psychological crisis. Objective. The objective of the present report is the analysis of the 12-month follow-up study carried out with patients after termination of crisis intervention. Methods. The cases examined involve subjects who came to the Psychiatric Emergency Service, Followed a crisis intervention (61 subjects) and who were assessed in a I-year follow-up study. Results. The follow-up data indicate that 54 patients (87%) no longer present symptoms, whereas seven subjects (11,5%) still do. The latter seven patients are still on the medication prescribed during the initial phase of treatment, whereas the others are no longer on drug therapy In the absence of symptoms, these subjects present positive social and work functioning, and also positive relational functioning. Conclusions. From the results of the follow-up study it is possible to appreciate the crisis intervention's efficacy: more than 80% of patients have maintained a satisfactory psychic equilibrium at 1-year follow-up, presenting complete symptom control and good social and relational functioning.