For Caregivers
What is Psychosis?
Psychosis is a set of experiences that makes it difficult to figure out what is real and what is not real. It can feel like your mind is playing tricks on you. The experiences include hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), delusions (false beliefs), and disorganized thinking and/or behavior.
Changes to Thinking and Beliefs
- Worried that people are out to harm them
- Believing they have new, special powers
- Believing an outside force is controlling their thoughts and/or actions
New Sensory Experiences
- Hearing Voices or noises that others cannot hear
- Seeing images or figures that others cannot see
Difficulty with Communication and/or Behavior
- More difficulty sharing their thoughts
- You are having trouble understanding them or that what they are saying or doing does not make sense
Early Warning Signs
- Early signs of someone experiencing psychosis can be non-specific and difficult to identify. This may include changes to mood and behavior like withdrawing from friends and family. You may notice somebody not performing as well at school or work.
- Explore the Psychosis Screening site for more information
The good news is that psychosis is treatable. Psychosis is not anyone’s fault, and it can happen to anyone.
There are many reasons one can experience psychosis like medical illness, substance use, and mental illness. It is important for psychosis to be evaluated by a health care professional to understand the cause and to receive the right treatment.
See this helpful video to understand psychosis: Understanding “Psychosis” A guide for young people and their supporters
Steps to Getting Help
- An evaluation by a medical practitioner will be important to evaluate the health of both the body and the mind.
- Make an appointment with their pediatrician or primary care provider.
- If they are already connected to mental health treatment, ask you loved ones to let them know about your concerns.
- If there are more urgent concerns, like you’re worried about safety, seek help in an emergency department or call 988 or 911 in a mental health crisis situation.
- A mental health specialist will be best equipped to evaluate for signs of psychosis
- Links for more information:
Resources for Families
We understand the stress and confusion that can come with caring for a loved one who is experiencing psychosis. We have curated resources that may help you navigate caring for your loved one. ‘What We Do’ explains what a Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) program does, who we serve, and what you can expect from our clinics. ‘Clinic Locations’ outlines where the CSC clinics are located throughout the state and how to contact them. ‘More Resources for Families’ is a list of articles, papers, and firsthand accounts of navigating psychosis. ‘Health and Wellness’ provides insight into what our clinic providers are doing to ensure clients can live a healthy lifestyle. For more firsthand accounts of psychosis, visit our ‘For Individuals Experiencing Psychosis’ page.