Improving Lives Through Early Diagnosis and Treatment
Improving Lives Through Early Diagnosis and Treatment
We are working to change the mental health landscape by promoting rapid identification and intervention for early psychosis.
IDENTIFY
First Episode Psychosis (FEP) can affect individuals of any age, gender, race, or cultural background. A first episode usually presents as a crisis for the individual experiencing the event as well as their family. Some risk factors include a family history of psychosis, a history of trauma or abuse, substance use, and social isolation.
TREAT
Individuals usually show clear changes in their behavior before psychosis begins. Quickly helping them to access the right care can help with recovery in many ways. Fast access to care can reduce how often hospitals are used and the severity of symptoms. It can also help maintain social support and families’ involvement.
RECOVER
Recovery is a unique and personal journey toward well-being. It often involves the discovery of individual strengths, growing resilience, and envisioning a brighter future. This path to recovery can take many forms, depending on each individual’s unique strengths, talents, and values. It is a holistic process, encompassing many aspects of a person’s life.
IDENTIFY
First Episode Psychosis (FEP) can affect individuals of any age, gender, race, or cultural background. A first episode usually presents as a crisis for the individual experiencing the event as well as their family. Some risk factors include a family history of psychosis, a history of trauma or abuse, substance use, and social isolation.
TREAT
Individuals usually show clear changes in their behavior before psychosis begins. Quickly helping them to access the right care can help with recovery in many ways. Fast access to care can reduce how often hospitals are used and the severity of symptoms. It can also help maintain social support and families’ involvement.
RECOVER
Many who experience first episode psychosis recover with early identification and intervention. Many describe recovery as a journey to renewed well-being after psychosis. Recovery may involve finding strengths, building resilience, and moving toward a brighter future.
Psychosis is a collection of symptoms which affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Symptoms can appear suddenly or gradually. Examples of these symptoms include:
- Beliefs not based in reality (delusions)
- Experiences of things which aren’t there (hallucinations)
- Jumbled thoughts and speech (disorganized thinking)
- Limited emotional expression (flat affect)
- Loss of motivation
- Social withdrawal
- Distinct changes in behavior
Psychosis is more common than many people realize. About 3% of people experience an episode of psychosis at some point in their lives. While schizophrenia is the most common cause of a first episode of psychosis (FEP), many who experience psychosis never develop schizophrenia.