Crisis Cards for the Prevention of Compulsory Hospitalization Signs of a Crisis, Treatment-Specific Demands and Coping Strategies from the Patients' Perspective

Abstract

Objective: To assess early signs of mental-health crises, treatment-specific demands and individual coping strategies from the subjective patients' perspective, and to categorize these specifications on the patients' crisis cards. Methods: A sample of 108 psychiatric patients with severe mental disorders is currently taking part in an intervention programme targeting the reduction of compulsory re-admission to psychiatry. As part of the programme, patients fill in a crisis card. Data are analysed by a qualitative approach using content analysis. Results: A variety of early signs of a crisis was specified by the psychiatric patients, most often negative emotions/thoughts (48 %). Likewise, the analysis revealed a wide range of treatment-specific preferences and individual strategies to cope with mental-health crises. Conclusions: Drawing up a crisis card in collaboration with a patient and discussing its contents might be used as a treatment resource and be beneficial to increase the patient's empowerment. Essential for the long-term prevention of mental-health crises and relapses is the regular reflection of the contents of a patient's crisis card.