Question

Your client shows up for his session looking extremely disheveled. He reports that he has been hearing voices in his head telling him that someone is trying to kill him and is desperate to make the voices stop. He says that he hasn't eaten in over three days and is taking "speed" to keep himself from feeling hungry because he's afraid someone is trying to kill him by poisoning his food. What should you do?

Answer 1

The client's reports of hearing voices, paranoid thoughts, malnourishment, and substance use indicate the need for emergency psychiatric assessment, substance abuse treatment, and a long-term multidisciplinary approach to their care.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a client presents with disheveled appearance, reports auditory hallucinations with paranoid thoughts of being harmed, and discloses that they haven't eaten in days due to fear of poisoning, while also taking stimulants like "speed", this indicates a severe mental health crisis requiring immediate intervention. The primary concern is client safety, as well as the risks associated with malnutrition and substance abuse.

a healthcare or mental health professional, it is important to address the immediate safety needs of the client. This includes arranging for emergency psychiatric assessment to manage the acute psychotic symptoms and potential substance abuse treatment. A potential long-term plan should involve a multidisciplinary approach involving psychiatry, counseling, nutrition, and social support to address the underlying causes and promote recovery.