Many hospitalized patients present with significant anxiety. Sometimes this anxiety is secondary to depression or psychosis, but often an underlying anxiety disorder is present.

Panic disorder is a common, highly distressing, but very treatable condition.

OCD can be profoundly disabling, and many patients arrive on inpatient units after years of escalating symptoms.

Many patients with substance use disorders experience significant anxiety and agitation.

Identifying a potential acute stroke in the psychiatric unit is crucial because immediate treatment can usually prevent permanent neurologic damage.

You’ll frequently encounter cases of hyperlipidemia among your patients on the psychiatric unit. Individuals with chronic mental illnesses are at a higher risk due to poor dietary habits, inadequate health care follow-up, smoking, and lack of physical exercise.

When managing pain in inpatient psychiatric settings, you will face unique challenges, including drug interaction risks, potential substance misuse, and the concern that inadequately treated pain may worsen depression or anxiety.