Psychosis: information for parents, carers and anyone who
works with young people
About this factsheet
This is one in a series of factsheets for
parents, teachers and young people entitled Mental Health and
Growing Up. The aims of these factsheets are to provide
practical, up-to-date information about mental health problems
(emotional, behavioural and psychiatric disorders) that can affect
children and young people. This factsheet explains
what psychosis is and gives practical help and advice about
how and where to get help for young people affected by this mental
illness.
What is psychosis?
The term ‘psychosis' is used to describe when
a person loses touch with reality. Young people can behave
very differently when they are feeling stressed, confused or very
upset. In fact, these are rarely signs of mental illness. Psychosis
is usually more severe and disabling.
How common is it?
‘Psychosis' can affect people of all ages, but
becomes increasingly common as people reach young adulthood.
What causes psychosis?
When a person has a psychotic episode, it can
be a signal of an underlying illness. You can have a ‘psychotic
breakdown’ after a stressful event like losing a close friend or
relative. It can also be the result of a physical illness like a
severe infection, the use of illegal drugs like cannabis, or a severe
mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Sometimes it is difficult to know what caused the illness.
What are the symptoms of ‘psychosis’?
When a person has psychosis, they may have unusual thoughts and
experiences. These may appear suddenly, or develop gradually over
time. They may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Unusual beliefs called
delusions. These unshakeable beliefs are obviously untrue
to others, but may not be to the young person themselves. For
example, when a young person is ill, they may think that there is a
plot to harm them, or that they are being spied on by the TV, or
being taken over by aliens. Sometimes they may feel they are a
special person or have special powers.
- Thought disorder is when
they are not able to think straight. It may be difficult to
understand what they are saying; their ideas may seem jumbled, but
it is more than being muddled or confused.
- Unusual experiences called
hallucinations are when they can see, hear, smell or feel
something that isn't really there. The most common hallucination
people experience is hearing voices. In psychosis, hallucinations
are totally real to the person having them. This can be very
frightening and can make them believe that they are being watched
or picked on.
Having these strange thoughts and experiences
can affect a young person at school, home or when with friends.
They may find it difficult to concentrate and enjoy what they
normally did. It can even affect their sleep, appetite and physical
health.
How to get help
The earlier it is recognised that a young
person is ill, the better the chances of getting effective
treatment. This speeds recovery and reduces long-term harm. Some
people can make a complete recovery.
Even if your child won't come with you, it is
helpful to speak to your general practitioner. It is likely that
you will be referred to a psychiatrist in a child and adolescent mental health
service or an Early Intervention Team or Service, if
this is available locally. Early Intervention Teams are specialists
in dealing with young people with psychosis. If your child is very
unwell, they may need admission to hospital for a period of time
until their condition stabilises.
What is the treatment for psychosis?
Medications called ‘antipsychotics’ are an
important part of treatment. They may need to be taken for a long
time in order to stay well. As with medication of any kind, there
may be side-effects; the psychiatrist will be able to advise on
what they are and what can be done to help. The risk of
side-effects needs to be balanced against the risk of the damaging
effects of the illness on a young person’s life.
If the psychosis is related to drug use or
underlying physical problems, your child may need specific help and
treatment to manage this.
Other forms of treatment in addition to
medicine are also important. Talking treatments can be helpful. The
whole family will need help to understand more about the illness,
to cope successfully, and to help prevent the illness coming
back.
What will happen in the future?
Most young people with early help and
treatment recover from their psychotic episode. If the illness is
due to an underlying physical illness or the use of drugs, they may
be able to avoid having another episode by taking appropriate
treatment and avoiding using drugs.
When a young person has a `psychotic
breakdown', not due to drug use, it can be difficult to know what
the long-term effects will be, and a definite diagnosis may not be
possible straight away. Some young people may eventually be
diagnosed with a severe mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Is there anything else I should do?
You can help as a parent by supporting your
child to continue with any treatment offered and to keep a
balanced, healthy lifestyle. You may be able to identify the signs
early if their illness recurs in the future, and seek help more
quickly.
Sources of further information
- Mind: national
mental health charity for England and Wales
- Rethink:
offers help to people with severe mental illness and their carers.
- Sane and
Saneline: SANEline is a national
out-of-hours telephone helpline offering emotional support and
information for people affected by mental health problems.Tel: 0845
767 8000.
- Talk to
Frank: for drug-induced psychosis.
- YoungMinds
Parents Helpline for any adult concerned about the
emotions and behaviour of a child and young person. Parents
helpline: 0808 802 5544.
Recommended reading
References
Rutter’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
Fifth Edition (2008). Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.
National Institute of Clinical
Excellence (NICE, 2009), Clinical Guidelines, CG82: Core
interventions in the treatment and management of schizophrenia in
primary and secondary care (update).
Series editor: Dr Mona Freeman
Editorial Board: Child and Family Public
Education Editorial Board. Reviewed by: Dr Vasu Balaguru.
© March 2010. Next
due for review: March 2012. Royal College of Psychiatrists. This
leaflet may be downloaded, printed out, photocopied and distributed
free of charge as long as the Royal College of Psychiatrists is
properly credited and no profit is gained from its use. Permission
to reproduce it in any other way must be obtained from the Head of Publications. The College
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