What it is
Early help makes a difference. Many areas have specialist early intervention teams for people having their first episode.
Treatment usually includes antipsychotic medicines, talking therapies and social support.
Common signs
- Hearing voices or seeing things others do not
- Strong beliefs that others do not share
- Muddled thinking or speech
- Feeling very suspicious or fearful
- Withdrawing from others
- Changes in sleep and self-care
How it is usually diagnosed
- Assessment by a mental health professional
- Tests to rule out physical causes, such as blood tests or a brain scan
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Mental health assessment letters
- Care plans
- Medicine lists and blood test monitoring
- Discharge letters
Questions to ask your doctor
- What might have caused this episode?
- What are the side effects of the medicine?
- Who do I contact if symptoms come back?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Thoughts of harming yourself or others, or a person who is very distressed or unsafe: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.