3 out of 100 people will experience psychosis in their lifetimes
WHAT IS PSYCHOSIS?
Psychosis can present differently from person to person. Symptoms usually emerge for the first time between the ages of 16 and 25. Symptoms can be mild at first and develop in intensity over time. Please be empathetic and aware that when a young person’s behavior seems “off,” they may be experiencing psychosis.
SYMPTOMS
These are some of the most common symptoms of psychosis with examples of what one may experience. Please be aware that some or all of these may be absent in a particular person or episode while psychosis is still present.
CHANGES IN PERCEPTION/HALLUCINATIONS
Feeling like your mind is playing tricks on you
For example: Hearing noises or voices then realizing they aren’t there. Seeing things others seem to not see. Hearing your thoughts as if outside your head.
UNUSUAL THOUGHT CONTENT
Confusion about whether something is real or imaginary
For example: Beginning to believe in odd or unusual things that are difficult to explain. Believing you can read people’s mind or that others are reading your mind. Feeling like the radio or TV are communicating directly to you. Believing external forces are controlling thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Feeling something odd is going on or that something is wrong that you cannot explain.
SUSPICIOUSNESS
Paranoia or feelings of persecution
For example: Feeling people around you are thinking about you negatively, or making you feel unsafe, or intending to harm you. Feeling paranoid and distrustful, or that you are being watched.
GRANDIOSE IDEAS
Exaggerated self-opinion
For example: Having an unrealistic sense of superiority. Expansiveness and boastfulness. Thinking you have new special powers or are on a special mission.
EMOTIONAL CHANGES
Changes in the way one feels or expresses emotions
For example: Feeling numb or disconnected from your life. Feeling detached or more intensely emotionally engaged. Losing sense of self and identity.
BEHAVIOR CHANGES
Pulling away from friends and family
For example: Becoming more isolated. Trouble with motivation for regular day-to-day activities. Losing interest in things you typically enjoy. Being preoccupied with your own thoughts.
DISORGANIZATION
Behavior that seems peculiar, odd, or eccentric to others
For example: Difficulty following directions or completing tasks as one used to. Purposeless movements or behaviors. Bizarre or illogical thinking. Not taking care of oneself.
DECLINE IN FUNCTIONING
Not doing as well in everyday life activities
For example: Being unable to tolerate stress. Sleep disturbances. Having a harder time getting typical daily activities done. No longer engaging in activities that promote health and wellbeing, such as exercise or socializing.
DISORGANIZED COMMUNICATION
Thoughts are hard to follow and/or control
For example: Difficulty putting together your words in order to communicate. Strange pauses in conversation. Answering questions unrelated to the conversation. Changing topics. Incomplete thoughts. Trouble with focus and attention at school. Difficulties being understood or getting your point across.
IS IT PSYCHOSIS?
Use our quiz as a tool to see if psychosis symptoms are part of the picture.
TREATMENT FOR PSYCHOSIS
Early Detection Matters
It is important for people to understand that treatment at a general mental health clinic is NOT the same as receiving specialized treatment.
The CALM campaign works in conjunction with the Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic (EPIC)-NOLA, a Tulane University affiliated specialty care clinic for people experiencing psychosis. The goal is to help adolescents and young adults understand, manage, and cope with psychosis experiences in order to get back to their everyday lives.
JOIN US IN BREAKING THE STIGMA AROUND PSYCHOSIS
Many of the things people believe about psychosis aren’t true. In order to provide Clear Answers to Louisiana Mental Health it’s important that we move past myths and educate ourselves and each other on the truth.
MYTHS
Psychosis is someone’s fault.
FACTS
Psychosis is nobody’s fault because no one can cause it.
We are still learning about how and why psychosis develops. We do know that multiple factors can intersect to lead to psychosis such as genetic risk, traumatic or stressful experiences, physical illness or injury, and drug use.
Psychosis is a supernatural or religious punishment.
In 2019, EPIC-NOLA sat down with a diverse group of spiritual leaders. Those leaders collectively agreed that psychosis could NOT be a result of a spiritual issue.
They also agreed their approach to someone with psychosis was to provide empathy, support and advise them to seek out a mental health professional.
There is no cure for psychosis.
There is specialized treatment for psychosis that works and helps individuals live happy & successful lives.
People with psychosis are dangerous.
Because of the way psychosis is presented in the media, many people believe this to be true. However...
Someone with psychosis is actually more likely to be the victim of violence than the perpetrator.
They are not anymore dangerous than the average person, but they do need help.
Psychosis can be cured by yelling, punishment or magic.
The only proven cure for psychosis is specialized treatment for psychosis from trained professionals.
Yelling, punishment and magic is more likely to trigger a psychotic episode, than to help it.
It can’t be psychosis, there’s no family history (or other reason).
Please be empathetic and aware that when a young person’s behavior seems “off,” it can be the start of a serious mental health problem.
If they are experiencing symptoms of psychosis, talk to a trained professional for advice.
People with psychosis just need to act “normal”.
Psychosis symptoms can be scary and confusing, making it almost impossible to act and feel “normal”.
It doesn’t have to be like this, because treatment works and can help individuals feel like their “normal” selves again.
Psychosis treatment means being locked in a mental hospital.
Unfortunately, some individuals with psychosis may need inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. However, not everyone does.
Most of the recovery takes place in an office or home-based setting that is comfortable and welcoming.
Nothing can be done for someone experiencing symptoms until they experience a crisis.
Individuals who are experiencing psychosis should reach out to a professional as soon as symptoms are noticeable. Specialized treatment for psychosis can help avoid a crisis.
IS IT PSYCHOSIS?
Use our quiz as a tool to see if psychosis symptoms are part of the picture.
HOW TO GET HELP
Learn more about the EPIC clinic, a specialty care clinic for people experiencing psychosis.