Symptoms of psychosis can affect thinking, insight, and behavior and may impact risk, functioning, and treatment engagement.
Early identification is important to support appropriate assessment, monitoring, and treatment approaches.
What should I consider?
Nature of symptoms
Consider symptoms such as:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Paranoia
- Disorganized thinking or behaviors
- Unusual beliefs
- Marked changes in perception
Onset and course of symptoms
Consider:
- New versus chronic symptoms
- Worsening symptoms
- Frequency
- Intensity
- Changes from the client's baseline
Insight and judgment
Consider the client's understanding of their symptoms and how those symptoms may be affecting their decision-making or behaviors.
Safety and behavioral control
Consider concerns such as:
- Suicidal ideation
- Self-harm
- Violent ideation
- Command hallucinations
- Severe agitation
- Impulsivity
- Reduced ability to maintain safety
Functioning
Consider changes in:
- Self-care
- Sleep
- Work or school functioning
- Relationships
- Treatment engagement
Clinical and contextual factors
Consider:
- Substance use
- Medication adherence or changes
- Medical conditions
- Recent stressors
- Trauma
- Sleep disturbances
- Access to supports and resources
Level of care needs
Consider whether the client can participate safely and effectively in the current treatment setting.
Psychosis resources
The source material identifies the following organizations as resources for guidance, education, and treatment resources related to psychosis and early intervention:
- National Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET)
- Massachusetts Psychosis Network for Early Treatment (MAPNET)
- Psychosis-Risk and Early Psychosis Program Network (PEPPNET)
- University of North Carolina Early Psychosis Program (EPI-NC)
- Yale Specialized Treatment in Early Psychosis Program (STEP)