Relapse can be influenced by several interacting factors. These may include major stress, sleep disruption, substance use, reduced treatment effectiveness, interrupted medication or difficulties accessing care. Physical illness and changes in social support can also…Continue Reading
Relapse prevention combines effective ongoing treatment with attention to the person’s wider circumstances. It may include medication review, psychological therapy, sleep support, substance-use care and practical assistance. The balance depends on previous episodes, remaining symptoms…Continue Reading
A crisis plan records what should happen if symptoms worsen substantially or ordinary coping becomes insufficient. It can identify warning signs, helpful approaches, treatment preferences and trusted contacts. It may also describe practical responsibilities such…Continue Reading
Symptom remission means that specified symptoms have become sufficiently mild or absent according to an agreed definition. In schizophrenia research, this may involve selected psychotic, disorganisation and negative symptoms. The term does not always mean…Continue Reading
Changes in functioning can precede a first psychotic episode. Someone may find study harder, withdraw from familiar activities or struggle with routines that were previously manageable. The important feature is change from their own baseline…Continue Reading
Duration matters because a short improvement may differ from a sustained period of stability. Some remission criteria require symptoms to remain mild for a specified interval, while ordinary clinical conversation may use the term less…Continue Reading
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