Psychosis: Early Signs and Family Response

Signs families may notice

• Hearing, seeing or feeling things that others do not
• Strong beliefs that remain fixed despite clear evidence, such as being watched or targeted
• Confused or hard-to-follow speech and behaviour
• Marked withdrawal, neglect of hygiene, falling performance or loss of usual motivation
• Suspiciousness, fear, major sleep change or difficulty distinguishing dreams and reality

How to respond

• Use a calm voice, short sentences and a quiet space
• Acknowledge the person’s fear without agreeing with or aggressively challenging the belief
• Do not mock, threaten, crowd or suddenly touch the person
• Offer choices and involve them in seeking help when it is safe
• Arrange prompt assessment, especially for a first episode or rapid change

Assessment and treatment

A clinician may ask about the timeline, mood, sleep, medicines, alcohol or drugs, fever, injury, seizures and other medical symptoms. Treatment depends on the cause and may include medication, psychological care, family support and help with school, work and daily life.

Early care matters. Do not wait for the person to become dangerous before seeking assessment.

When help is urgent

Call 112 or go to emergency care if voices command harm, the person has suicidal or violent intent, is severely confused or agitated, cannot care for basic needs, has a seizure or fever, or symptoms follow overdose, withdrawal or head injury.