SOD Chapter 5 - Subchapter 7 - schizophrenia.life

5.7. CRISIS INTERVENTION

When someone with schizophrenia and a substance use disorder is in crisis, it’s crucial to handle the situation with care and attention. You need to be aware of any immediate dangers and have a clear plan to keep them safe.

Developing a safety plan, identifying crisis triggers, and connecting them with emergency contacts can be life-saving. Involving family or friends can provide extra support.

After the crisis, regular check-ins and ongoing care are essential to ensure they stay safe and supported.

This approach has been proven to work well in emergency situations, like preventing suicide.

Collaborating on a safety plan

Creating a safety plan together can give the person a sense of empowerment and support.

This plan might include steps they can take if they ever feel overwhelmed – like reaching out to someone they trust, finding ways to make their environment safer, or using techniques that help them feel calm.

Recognizing triggers and early signs

Taking some time to explore what situations or feelings might lead to distress, such as increased anxiety or thoughts of self-harm, can help both of you understand when extra support might be needed. Talking openly about these signs can make them easier to recognize in the future.

Exploring coping strategies

Considering strategies they’ve found helpful before – like grounding exercises, deep breathing, or connecting with supportive people – can reinforce what already works for them. This can also be a way to introduce new ideas for coping that feel comfortable and manageable.

Including supportive people in the plan

If they’re open to it, family members or close friends can play an important role in providing support. Letting these people know how they can help during tough moments can make everyone feel more connected and prepared.

Staying connected over time

Checking-in regularly can be a helpful way to see how things are going and adjust the plan as needed. These follow-ups can provide a sense of continuity and show that they’re not alone in this process.

Example dialogue for initiating crisis intervention

Caregiver: “Let’s come up with a plan together for when things start to feel difficult. We can include ways to recognize early signs, like feeling anxious or unsafe. How does that sound?”

Individual: “I think that could help, especially if there’s a way to remind me what to do.”

Caregiver: “Absolutely! We can set up reminders and also add a few key contacts—family, friends, or anyone you trust. We can also include coping strategies. Do you think reaching out to [a supportive person’s name] would be helpful when you’re feeling this way?”

This type of conversation creates a safe and collaborative space, helping the patient feel empowered and in control of their plan.

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