One of the many forms mental illness may take is psychosis. People experiencing it may have hallucinations (hearing voices, seeing visions, or feeling sensations that are not real) or delusions (firmly fixed beliefs that are not based on reality). And often, a first experience of psychosis occurs in the teenage or young adult years.
Could identifying early warning signs of psychosis and providing appropriate support change the course of the illness for the better? Experts believe that it can.
What should you know about psychotic disorders?
Psychosis affects three out of 100 people during their lifetimes. Just one in 100 people will be diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder with psychotic features.
Along with hallucinations or delusions, people grappling with psychosis appear disorganized in the way they speak or behave. Their actions can be disturbing, especially if you’re a worried parent, family member, or friend of someone experiencing psychosis.
Years ago, mental health clinicians believed the possibility of recovery from a psychotic disorder was limited. Luckily, research on psychosis has taught us that this is not true. Outcomes vary significantly, and the three to five years after the first episode of psychosis are crucial in recovery.
Why is it important to identify psychosis early?
Research suggests that the longer a person has untreated psychosis, the more likely they are to have a high burden of symptoms, lower ability to function, and a poor quality of life. It’s best to seek help early by talking to a doctor if you have concerns.
A teen or young adult who is experiencing hallucinations, delusions, or other symptoms of a psychotic episode for the first time will usually respond well to antipsychotic medicines, such as risperidone or aripiprazole. Programs that support young people at risk for psychosis or experiencing their first episode are available too.
What are the early warning signs to know?
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