Psychosis affects about 3 in every 100 adults, with typical onset in late adolescence or early adulthood (16– 22 years old). Early psychosis, also known as first-episode psychosis (FEP), is often frightening, confusing and distressing for the person experiencing it and difficult for his or her family to understand.
Early psychosis, or a first episode, is the most important time to connect with the right treatment. Doing so can be life-changing and radically alter a person’s future. So, while it can be difficult to tell the difference between the early warning signs of psychosis and typical teen or young adult behavior, if you are concerned, don’t delay in getting help.
Psychosis involves loss of contact with reality, such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others do not) or delusions (beliefs that are not based in reality). Symptoms of psychosis can also include speech that does not make sense, difficulty thinking clearly, lack of self-care, withdrawal and odd or inappropriate behavior.
Early psychosis rarely appears spontaneously or with rapid onset. Usually, a person has gradual, non-specific changes in thoughts and perceptions, but is unable to identify what is occurring. This period is called the “prodromal period” — when signs of a problem are apparent, though the illness itself has yet to emerge. Early warning signs can be difficult to notice or to distinguish from typical teen or young adult behavior, and include the following:
Determining exactly when the first episode of psychosis begins can be hard, but these signs and symptoms strongly indicate an episode of psychosis: