What is psychosis?
Lots of people confuse schizophrenia and psychosis, but these are not synonymous. In fact, psychosis is actually considered a symptom rather than a disorder, and you can have psychotic episodes in lots of different disorders.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of psychosis?
Identifying symptoms of psychosis early can often be difficult to recognize. There are some early warning signs to look out for with regards to behaviours, emotions, thoughts and speech such as unusual sensitivity to stimuli, deterioration of personal hygiene, inappropriate laughter, excessively muted or high emotions, a new extreme preoccupation of beliefs or thinking things around them have changed in some way.
What can teachers do to best support a young person experiencing psychosis?
Try to think psychologically. Try to avoid triggers. Try to utilise distraction techniques. We have provided some concrete suggestions in the ‘read more’ section but please remember that psychosis is a serious mental health conditions that always need professional mental health support.
3 top tips!
- Psychosis is more common in young people aged 14-35 years
- Try to avoid triggers by working with the young person to identify what brings on their symptoms.
- Psychosis always requires professional support from mental health services.
