Emergency psychiatry and crisis intervention in a primary clinic

The terms Notfall and Krise, and the semantic problems arising, are elucidated; and an analysis of one years work in provision for emergency psychiatry and stress intervention is presented. Psychoreactive syndromes were found to be most common, followed in second place by psychotic conditions. In third place come disorders in connection with alcohol, which display a rising tendency. 40% of the clinic's beds are occupied by acute emergency cases, chiefly of short duration. Emergency provision is thus shown to be a major feature in the work of psychiatric clinics.