Unusual experiences before psychosis may include fleeting suspiciousness, changes in perception or a sense that ordinary events carry special significance. The person may remain uncertain about their meaning and able to consider alternatives. Clinicians sometimes…Continue Reading
Residual symptoms are difficulties that remain after a more severe phase has improved. They can include occasional unusual perceptions, mild suspiciousness, reduced motivation or cognitive problems. The term does not imply that these experiences are…Continue Reading
Anxiety, low mood, irritability or emotional withdrawal can appear before a first episode of psychosis. These changes are non-specific: they are also common in many other conditions and during stressful periods. Their presence cannot identify…Continue Reading
Functional outcomes concern how a person manages everyday activities, relationships, work, study and self-care. They are not identical to symptom scores. Remission may make participation easier, but cognitive difficulties, lost confidence, financial problems and limited…Continue Reading
Clinical high-risk states describe assessed patterns associated with an increased probability of developing psychosis compared with some comparison groups. Criteria may include attenuated symptoms, brief psychotic experiences or certain combinations of vulnerability and functional decline.…Continue Reading
Remission usually refers to symptoms, while recovery has broader meanings. Clinical recovery may include sustained symptom improvement and functioning. Personal recovery concerns building a meaningful life, identity and sense of agency, sometimes while symptoms remain.…Continue Reading
Predicting psychosis is difficult because early changes overlap with many ordinary experiences and other mental health conditions. A sign can be associated with increased risk at the group level while remaining a poor predictor for…Continue Reading
Clinical recovery usually refers to a combination of sustained symptom improvement and better functioning. Definitions differ between studies and services. Some require symptom remission, participation in social or occupational roles and a specified period of…Continue Reading
A first psychotic episode may become apparent through voices, unusual beliefs, disorganised speech or behaviour that others find difficult to understand. The person may also be frightened, sleep-deprived or unsure why familiar surroundings feel different.…Continue Reading
Personal recovery concerns living a meaningful and self-directed life, including identity, hope, relationships and purpose. It does not require every symptom to disappear. Someone may develop effective ways to manage voices while returning to valued…Continue Reading