Psychosis can cause people to interpret the world around them differently.

Psychosis is sometimes related to a serious mental illness but experiences of psychosis can occur for other reasons such as with substance use or with certain medical conditions.

Many people see or hear things that others don’t, and anyone can experience psychosis.

When psychosis symptoms cause you significant distress or are interfering with living the life you want, that is time to connect with help, like that found at a Pennsylvania First Episode Psychosis Center.

Early or first-episode psychosis (FEP) refers to the initial time someone starts to have psychosis symptoms, like hearing things that other people don’t or having unusual beliefs that others don’t share, which are bothersome and can interfere with relationships with family or friends, or with school or work. 

Psychosis symptoms can come and go, and can vary in intensity over time. The length of an episode varies greatly from person to person, lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days, weeks or months. Acting quickly to connect with the right treatment during this time of early psychosis, or FEP, can help shift the trajectory of long-term outcomes.

Experiencing psychosis may feel scary and isolating, but recovery is possible. If you or someone you know is struggling it is important not to wait, but to seek help early. We know that the earlier people seek care, the better the chances they will get back on track and achieve their life goals.

The pink button “Watch Video” link will take you a short video is from Living Well with Schizophrenia, a channel dedicated to increasing knowledge around schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and mental illness.

The experience of psychosis varies for everyone. Some common experiences that may mean you are experiencing psychosis include:

• Hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling or feeling things that others don’t.
• Having troubling, unshakable beliefs.  Common beliefs include thoughts such as, “people are against me,” “people want to hurt me,” “others can read my mind,” “the Internet, TV or music is sending me special messages,”  “I have special powers/abilities.”
• Difficulty concentrating, organizing thoughts or expressing emotions.
• Trouble understanding what you are reading or what people are saying to you.
• Having extra energy which may keep you awake for days.
• Feeling disconnected or withdrawn from friends and family.
• Losing interest in everyday activities or caring for yourself.