Could You Recognize the First Signs of Psychosis? |
Find a therapist to treat psychosis
Psychosis often begins subtly.
Trauma and severe stress can trigger an initial episode of psychosis in someone with a genetic risk.
Autistic individuals are at heightened risk of psychosis compared to the general population.
Psychosis and schizophrenia are among the most common mental health concerns. Yet, these terms remain draped in misunderstanding, even among clinicians.
As a therapist who has experienced psychosis herself, I often find myself seeking to correct misunderstandings. No, not all (or even most) extreme or difficult-to-understand behavior is considered "psychosis." Yes, people can have a first episode of psychosis after their 20s, especially women (Díaz-Pons et al., 2022). In psychosis care, multiple diagnoses are often the norm, not the exception, with many individuals' experiences falling outside the straightforward confines of DSM criteria. Watchful waiting is not always a good idea, even when we want to protect someone from the stigma of particular diagnostic labels.
And yes, often, people do get better.
Why All Therapists Need a Working Knowledge of Psychosis
I recognize the lack of knowledge. Psychosis is one of thousands of difficulties that lead people to see mental health practitioners, and aspects of psychosis remain mysterious even to psychosis experts and researchers.
Still, with early detection and intervention being documented as one of the best predictors of quality of life and recovery (Salazar de Pablo et al., 2024), being able to identify the signs of psychosis and route to appropriate care when necessary is essential for mental health clinicians.
Within the United States, more than 400 early psychosis specialty clinics exist. Mostly funded through a large block grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), these programs offer wraparound assessment and support to individuals in the earliest stages of psychosis. Called coordinated specialty care (CSC) programs, the philosophy of these centers is that through specialized psychotherapy, family interventions, psychiatric........