How to help a friend or loved one
Often there are signs that family members or friend might notice. Many young people who develop psychosis reside with their families. Therefore, family members can play an important role in helping to identify signs of psychosis, in seeking treatment and in promoting the recovery process.
You may notice, things such as:
- Withdrawal and loss of interest in socialising
- Loss of energy and motivation
- Problems with memory and concentration
- Deterioration work or study
- Lack of attention to personal hygiene
- Confused speech or difficulty communicating
- Lack of emotional response or inappropriate emotional display
- General suspiciousness
- Sleep or appetite disturbances
- Unusual behaviours
It is important to take into consideration the normal functioning of the individual. Is this out of character from the person you normally know?
Sometimes symptoms appear suddenly and are very obvious to everyone. But, psychosis can emerge gradually, making it difficult to spot early signs and symptoms. Early identification can also be difficult because teen years are typically marked by upheavals in behaviour, motivation and mood. But in fact parents of young people with psychosis often remark in hindsight that they knew “something was not quite right”; that their child “just wasn’t himself”.
Traffic Light Screening Tool
The screening tool is a guide to help you assess the need for further assessment of an individual who you may suspect is having a first episode of psychosis.
The new NHS Dorset came into being on 1 October 2006. The Trust was formed by the merger of North Dorset Primary Care Trust, South West Dorset Primary Care Trust and South and East Dorset Primary Care Trust.
If you need to contact services provided by one of the former primary care trusts, please use the existing telephone numbers in the relevant leaflets.