1. Understanding Psychotic Symptoms
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Psychosis Definition: Includes hallucinations (seeing/hearing things not present) and delusions (firmly held false beliefs).
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Associated Disorders: Present in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and more.
2. Common Triggers and Causes of Psychotic Episodes
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Stress: A major factor that can trigger or exacerbate symptoms.
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Medication Compliance: Non-adherence or imbalance can lead to breakthrough symptoms.
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Physical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, sleep deprivation, and traumatic brain injuries may contribute to psychosis.
3. Strategies to Support Someone with Psychosis
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Create a Safe Environment: Focus on safety and security rather than challenging their reality.
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Reduce Stress: Identify and mitigate stressors (emotional, physical, or environmental).
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Develop an Emergency Plan: Be prepared with a relapse or prodromal symptom plan.
4. Managing Symptoms in Acute Episodes
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Join Their Reality: Instead of arguing, acknowledge their experience and work on creating a sense of safety.
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Behavioral Observations: Examine behavior as a form of communication to understand underlying needs.
5. Long-Term Interventions
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CBT for Psychosis (CBTp): Effective in residual symptoms or remission but not during acute episodes.
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Motivation and Scaffolding: Help individuals develop motivation for self-care tasks using step-by-step guidance and rewards.
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