Psychosis can be a symptom of serious mental illness. In a psychotic episode, the severity and frequency of unusual experiences is so high that a person loses touch with reality as other people see it.

Although it can be scary, psychosis is treatable, and it is not a life sentence. About 1 in 4 people have one episode of psychosis and never have another one, while others might need ongoing treatment to manage their symptoms.

Although 3 in 5 people will have more than one episode, between these episodes they will remain well and able to live a normal life.

For less than 20% (1 in 5) symptoms and other difficulties may remain common. We now understand a lot more about how to help people with psychosis overcome these difficulties.

What is NOT psychosis?

NOT ‘Split personality’	You’ve probably heard about ‘split personality’ in movies or on TV, where it is often confused and ‘mislabelled’ for psychosis. This term just indicates that a person might act very differently from their usual self or do things that are quite out of the ordinary.
NOT ‘Crazy’ or violent	In society, there’s a common misconception that individuals experiencing psychosis are completely out of control, often associated with the belief that they can be violent. Terms like ‘crazy,’ ‘schizo,’ and ‘psycho’ carry connotations of losing control. Psychosis does not cause violence.
NOT Psychopathy	The word ‘psychosis’ sounds similar to ‘psychopath’, and some people may confuse the two terms. Psychopathy is a separate diagnosable disorder where people lack sympathy and are indifferent to their own violent or criminal behaviour.

Knowing When to Seek Further Help – Recognizing early signs of Psychosis

Only 1 in 4 people identified as having At-Risk Mental States (ARMS) actually develop psychosis. Seeking help is a necessary step to minimize the risk of developing more serious illness. We believe that it is valuable for you to know how to recognize early when something more serious is about to happen, so you can promptly seek help.

Identifying some early signs of psychosis can be challenging on your own, so it’s crucial to have someone you trust – whether it’s a member of your clinical care team, a family member, or a friend – who can assist you in understanding what is going on.

Refer to the table of unusual experiences (link to examples) and check if any of these experiences:

1. Are causing increasing challenges at work, school, or in your relationships (e.g., declining grades, difficulty at work, withdrawal from friends or family).
2. Lead to increased isolation and difficulties in connecting with others.
3. Make you question more frequently whether these experiences are real or not.
4. Result in a loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy (games, movies, TV shows, socializing with friends).
5. Disrupt your sleep.

If you or your trusted person notice any changes or concerns related to these experiences, refer yourself to OPEN. Your well-being is a priority, and seeking help early can make a significant difference in managing these challenges.