Introduction to Psychosis

Psychosis is the umbrella term for a group of mental health conditions that affect a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Psychosis affects the way a person makes sense of the world making it difficult to tell what is real and what is not.

Psychosis can affect anybody but is most likely to affect people between the ages of 14 and 64. About two in every hundred people are affected by Psychosis making it about as common as diabetes. Psychosis can be treated and treatment is most effective if started early. Episodes can vary in length but with proper treatment most people make a full recovery.

Being able to treat Psychosis early is very important, since it usually starts during a very critical stage of a young person’s life. Adolescents and young adults are just starting to develop their own identity, form lasting relationships and make serious plans for their careers and future. A successful recovery leads to a healthy, productive future.

Terms

Early Psychosis or First Episode Psychosis mean that an individual is experiencing Psychosis for the first time.

At Risk Mental State (ARMS) means that a person may be at increased risk of developing psychosis.

Are people with Psychosis dangerous?

While strong delusions and hallucinations may cause a person to react unpredictably or even aggressively, individuals with Psychosis are rarely violent and, in fact, they are at much greater risk of causing harm to themselves than to others.

Phases of a Psychotic episode

There are three phases to Psychosis, however not all people having a psychotic episode will experience clear symptoms of all three phases. Each person’s experience will differ.

Prodromal Phase

This is the period before the Psychosis becomes more obvious. There are often changes in feelings, thoughts, perceptions and behaviours. Prodromal symptoms vary from person to person and some people may not experience a prodrome. The duration of this phase is quite variable, although it usually spans several months.

Acute Phase

This is the stage when the typical psychotic symptoms emerge. It is also the stage that is easiest to recognize and diagnose. Therefore the acute phase is when most people begin receiving treatment.

Recovery Phase

Some of the symptoms that are apparent in the Acute Phase may linger in Recovery. With appropriate treatments, the great majority of people successfully recover from their first episode of Psychosis.