Relapse: Definition
In schizophrenia, relapse usually refers to a clinically meaningful increase in psychotic symptoms or related impairment following improvement. It may involve returning voices, stronger delusional conviction or greater disorganisation. Some research definitions use symptom scores…Continue Reading
First-Episode Psychosis: Initial Recovery
Initial recovery after psychosis can include reduced fear, improved sleep, clearer thinking and greater ability to manage ordinary tasks. Changes may be uneven. A person may feel calmer before a delusional belief changes, or symptoms…Continue Reading
First-Episode Psychosis: Early Intervention
Early intervention services aim to provide coordinated care soon after psychosis emerges. Teams may combine psychiatric treatment, psychological therapy, family support and assistance with education or employment. The approach recognises that a first episode can…Continue Reading
First-Episode Psychosis: Assessment
Assessment after a first psychotic episode explores symptoms, onset, functioning and possible causes. It includes a mental state examination, physical health review and discussion of substances and medicines. The person’s description is central, while previous…Continue Reading
First-Episode Psychosis: Possible Causes
The causes of a first psychotic presentation include psychiatric, substance-related and medical conditions. Schizophrenia is one possibility, but mania, severe depression and schizoaffective disorder may also involve psychosis. Intoxication, withdrawal and some prescribed medicines can…Continue Reading
First-Episode Psychosis: Initial Presentation
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
Prodrome: Uncertainty in Prediction
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
Prodrome: Clinical High-Risk States
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
Prodrome: Emotional Changes
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
Prodrome: Unusual Experiences
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