These officers did a nice job of deescalation. They are asking very good questions.

When we get someone in for medical clearance, psych evaluation, or they are deemed a threat to themselves or others there are usually two causes. The most common is that they have used a bunch of drugs or alcohol. The second most common is that their medication regime has recently changed. They often have stopped taking their medications (without consulting with their doctor) and sometimes have started a new one. Some medications take a few weeks to build up in the system or be eliminated from the system. Those few weeks can be a dangerous time, with increased risks of suicides. Medication isn't the right choice for everyone, but for some, in combination with other therapies it is.

The police asking about her doctor's name can be a big help, as sometimes when we get the patient for clearance, they have become uncooperative and we need to contact their provider or look up their pharmacy records.

Aside from intoxication and true mental health, there's a significant number of people who have an acute mental health issue for medical reasons. A UTI in an older person is a common cause. I've had patients that cleared the drug screen, had zero persistent psychological history, but did have a brain bleed (subarachnoid hemorrhages and subdural hematomas) that required getting them to a neurosurgeon. One patient was brought in by family because they had suddenly developed what seemed like Tourette's and very impulsive behavior.

These are very good questions by the police. When we get someone in for medical clearance, psych evaluation, or they are deemed a threat to themselves or others there are usually two cause. The most common is that they have used a bunch of drugs or alcohol. The second most common is that their medication regime has recently changed. They often have stopped taking their medications (without consulting with their doctor) and sometimes have started a new one. Some medications take a few weeks to build up in the system or be eliminated from the system. Those few weeks can be a dangerous time, with increased risks of suicides. Medication isn't the right choice for everyone, but for some, in combination with other therapies it is.

The police asking about her doctor's name can be a big help, as sometimes when we get the patient for clearance, they have become uncooperative and we need to contact their provider or look up their pharmacy records.

Aside from intoxication and true mental health, there's a significant number of people who have an acute mental health issue for medical reasons. A UTI in an older person is a common cause. I've had patients that cleared the drug screen, had zero persistent psychological history, but did have a brain bleed (subarachnoid hemorrhages and subdural hematomas) that required getting them to a neurosurgeon. One patient was brought in by family because they had suddenly developed what seemed like Tourette's and very impulsive behavior.