Early Care Makes a Difference!

If you’re struggling with a mental health issue, early care makes a difference. You wouldn’t put off seeing a doctor for a broken bone or an infection. Seeking early treatment for a mental health condition is just as important! It’s especially important if you might be experiencing a more serious mental health condition, such as psychosis.

What is psychosis?

Psychosis describes a condition in which someone has lost touch with reality. Sometimes the symptoms are obvious, like hearing or seeing things others don’t. But psychosis can present in subtler ways, too. It may look like:

• irritability
• feeling anxious
• mood changes
• feeling sad or depressed
• being overwhelmed
• withdrawing socially from friends and family
• difficulty concentrating
• lacking motivation
• disorganization in memory, thoughts or behavior
• misusing alcohol/drugs
• sleep difficulties
• declining hygiene
• changes in eating habits
• uneasiness around others
• lack of self-worth
• self-harm
• changes in thinking or perceptions
• seeing, hearing or tasting things others do not

How common is psychosis? 

Psychosis will affect 3 out of 100 people in their lifetime, and 100,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S. It frequently presents in early adolescents or young adults, and can affect people from all walks of life.

How is psychosis treated? 

Psychosis is best treated through a multi-tiered approach, including therapy, medication and social support. Unfortunately, many people will live with psychosis for a year before seeking treatment; however, early treatment makes a difference! Full recovery is possible.

Oaklawn has a coordinated specialty care (CSC) team for anyone diagnosed with psychosis in its early stages. Insight is a recovery-oriented treatment program that serves individuals at least 14 years of age who have experienced psychosis (excluding substance‐induced psychosis) within the last five years. Using a team‐based approach, our psychiatric providers, therapists, and case managers work with you to help you create and reach the recovery goals you feel are important to living a fulfilling life. Some of your experiences may feel overwhelming and at times even scary. We are here to help you in a judgement‐free space. With your input, we will create a plan to ensure you can move towards recovery and live fully again.

How do I get started? 

To see if Insight is the right fit for you, visit one of our Open Access clinics. For more details, including what to bring with you to this walk-in visit, visit oaklawn.org/access.

How can I support a loved one experiencing psychosis? 

Someone experiencing symptoms may not understand what is happening to them or know that things they are experiencing are not real. In these situations, they will not understand that they need help or treatment. Supporting them and providing empathy through these situations can help them through an episode. It is also important for you to understand this medical condition.

Friends and loved ones can make a big difference in recovery. It is important to be supportive of the person experiencing psychosis, if you are unsure where to start, follow this acronym.

L E A P   – Listen, Empathize, Agree, Partner

• Listen to what your loved one is saying about what they are experiencing.
• Empathize with what they are saying and experiencing.
• Agree that they are seeing, hearing and experiencing what they are experiencing, but you do not see, hear or experience those things yourself.
• Partner with your loved one to create a plan on how to help them.