How to Implement Early Intervention in Psychosis

Mental illness remains a challenging area of health for individuals and for society as a whole. Many mental health professionals support the view there are imperatives for early intervention. Early intervention makes the link between the mentally ill person and the services and this can help to avoid relapse, those professionals agree. Up until recently the prevailing theory was a psychotic illness usually followed a path of decline and deterioration. Now, many in the field believe psychosis reaches a plateau after two to five years and this makes early and timely intervention even more important.

Instructions

• 1

  Recognize the early signs of psychosis. You may notice a change in the behavior of the person. This would possibly include withdrawal and isolation. She may even neglect her personal hygiene and appearance. She may also dress incongruously. However, do not assume that changes such as this necessarily mean a person is having a psychotic breakdown as there can be many other explanations, including depression.

• 2

  Look for any symptoms of psychosis including hallucinations or delusions. Hallucinations are often auditory, that is, the person may hear voices. She may also believe things that are untrue, for instance that people on the television are talking about her. If you are worried about the person's mental state, encourage her to see her physician, who will probably advise her to see a psychiatrist.

• 3

  Encourage the person who is suffering from psychosis to attend all medical appointments. Familiarize yourself with her treatment regime. This is likely to include medication. It is important she takes this as prescribed. Support her to meet her social, emotional and intellectual needs. People who suffer from psychosis also struggle with other areas of life. This is turn can lead to stress which may further exacerbate the symptoms.