How to help someone you suspect may be suffering from psychosis
More often than not, there are signs that family members or a friend might notice a change in someone. Many young people who develop psychosis live with their families.
You can play an important role in helping to identify signs of psychosis, in helping them to seek treatment and promoting the recovery process.
You may notice:
- withdrawal and loss of interest in socialising
- loss of energy and motivation
- problems with memory and concentration
- deterioration of work or study
- lack of attention to personal hygiene
- confused speech or difficulty communicating
- lack of emotional response or inappropriate emotional display
- general suspiciousness
- sleep or appetite disturbances
- unusual behaviours.
It is important to take into consideration the normal behaviour of the person. Is this out of character from the person you normally know?
Sometimes symptoms appear suddenly and are very obvious to everyone. But psychosis can emerge gradually, making it difficult to spot early signs and symptoms.
Early identification can also be difficult because teen years are typically marked by upheavals in behaviour, motivation and mood. But in fact parents of young people with psychosis often remark in hindsight that they knew 'something was not quite right'; that their child 'just wasn’t himself'.
Talk with the person you are concerned about, be gentle, they may not realise their behaviour has changed or it is causing anyone to worry about them.
Help them talk with their local GP or healthcare professional for advice and to be referred to the local community mental health team for support.
