Crisis situation
Need help?
Information and support
Are you looking for more information or support after a mental crisis situation? Don’t hesitate to contact us. At rTMS International, we’re here to help with treatments and support aimed at relieving mental health issues such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Our team is ready to guide you on your path to recovery, offering personalised care tailored to your unique situation.
What should you do in a mental crisis?
A crisis situation can arise suddenly and unexpectedly, both for you and those around you.
It’s a moment where you may feel completely overwhelmed by emotional, mental, or psychological stress, and it might seem like you no longer know how to cope. This can quickly become dangerous and requires immediate help.
What is a mental health crisis?
A mental health crisis occurs when you feel like you’re losing control over your emotions, thoughts, or behavior. You may feel anxious, desperate, or confused. In some cases, suicidal thoughts may take over. This can stem from prolonged stress, trauma, or a sudden life change such as a loss of a loved one, relationship issues, or pressure at work.
Signs of a mental crisis situation
A crisis situation is often recognizable by certain behaviors or emotions. For example, you may:
- Experience extreme anxiety or panic
- Have suicidal thoughts or a desire to harm yourself
- React in a confused or irrational way
- Experience hallucinations or delusions (for example, seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
- Display aggressive behavior, either toward yourself or others
What to do in a mental crisis situation?
If you find yourself in a crisis situation, it’s important to stay calm. Try to approach the situation in a composed and controlled manner, as panic or confusion can often make things worse. Try to open a conversation with yourself or the person in crisis. Listen carefully to what’s being said and allow space for the other person to express their feelings. Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you need right now?” or “How can I help you?” Avoid giving unsolicited advice or minimizing their emotions.
Make sure the environment is safe: remove any dangerous objects and create a space where neither you nor the other person can get hurt. If the situation escalates, do not wait. Seek professional help immediately. Call a crisis service, your GP, or 112 to initiate the appropriate care.
When to seek professional help
It’s important to know that you’re not alone in a crisis. If you feel that you’re in danger or can no longer manage the situation on your own, don’t hesitate to seek help. In some cases, immediate psychiatric care or hospitalization may be necessary to ensure your safety and help you stabilize.
In the Netherlands, you can contact the following in case of a crisis:
- 112 for life-threatening situations
- The GP out-of-hours service
- The mental health crisis team (GGZ crisisdienst) in your region for immediate psychological support
What happens after a mental crisis situation?
After a crisis situation, it’s important to receive proper aftercare. This may include sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist, adjusting your medication, or following a treatment program. For some individuals, temporary admission to a clinic may be necessary to regain stability and receive the appropriate care.
Crisis prevention
Crisis situations are difficult to predict, but you can be better prepared by taking a few proactive steps.
Steps you can take:
- Create a treatment plan with a professional so you know what actions to take if a crisis starts to develop.
- Keep a list of emergency contacts, such as your GP, a trusted person, or a crisis service.
- Learn to recognize and address signs of excessive stress or other mental health issues early, before they escalate into a crisis.
How we can help in a mental crisis situation
Our support in crisis situations is only available to clients currently in treatment with us.
During your treatment period, your therapist may notice warning signs, or you may express the need for extra support. We place great importance on open conversations where you can honestly share how you’re feeling, so we can work together to find the right kind of help. If necessary, we can involve other mental health services or professionals.
In cases of active suicidality, we can only provide support if a clear crisis safety plan has been established and a primary care provider is involved who can offer the appropriate level of care. Active suicidality means that someone has actual plans or intentions to harm themselves or end their life.
Frequently asked
If you’re dealing with treatment-resistant depression and wish to qualify for full reimbursement, a referral from your GP or psychiatrist is required.
However, if you prefer to receive treatment anonymously without your GP or health insurer being informed of your condition, no referral is needed. In that case, too, the condition must be a treatment-resistant depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
On the contact page, below the contact form, you can find the current waiting list for each location.
rTMs is a technique that was introduced in the late 1990s as a treatment for depression. Since then, scientific and clinical research has been conducted to determine the safety of the treatment and to investigate the most effective protocols. It has been established that rTMS is a safe method that, for a large proportion of clients, contributes to the reduction of depression and / or compulsive complaints. Various publications show that clients with the “therapy resistant” diagnosis responded positively to treatment with rTMS. rTMS has been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) since 2008 and since 2017 a number of Dutch health insurance companies have reimbursed treatment under the supplementary insurance.
rTMS treatment is generally well tolerated and has few to no side effects. You will sit in the treatment chair, and the coil that delivers the magnetic pulses will be placed against your head. These magnetic pulses stimulate specific areas of the brain. Some people may experience mild tension headaches after the session. To prevent this, you may choose to take a paracetamol beforehand.