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Psychiatric Emergencies

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Book cover In-Flight Medical Emergencies

Abstract

The care of a psychiatric patient experiencing an acute exacerbation of their illnesses can be resource intensive as well as challenging physically, mentally, and emotionally. The task can be even more daunting when called upon to assess and intervene while confined and restricted to the space and resources of a mid-flight aircraft. This chapter aims to educate the provider on some of the most common psychiatric related situations likely to be encountered while flying. Psychiatric illness, especially anxiety-related disorders, is very common and may be encountered in flight; however, agitated individuals without prior psychiatric illness are becoming an increasingly prevalent problem and may be encountered as well. We discuss the provider’s options in treatment, management, and responsibility in dealing with these difficult patient scenarios.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Ryan Spangler M.D.

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  1. Ryan Spangler M.D.
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Emergency Medicine, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA

    Jose V. Nable

  2. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

    William Brady

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Spangler, R. (2018). Psychiatric Emergencies. In: Nable, J., Brady, W. (eds) In-Flight Medical Emergencies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74234-2_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74234-2_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-74233-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-74234-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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