What are the early warning signs of psychotic illness?
Families and loved ones of people who have experienced a psychosis often say that things weren't quite right for some time before the psychotic episode. The period of time before the obvious symptoms of a psychotic episode is called the prodrome, and so the phase before a psychotic episode is called the prodromal phase. Usually there are some changes in the person's behaviour that occur in the prodromal phase that are early warning signs of the psychosis that may be developing. Some of the early warning signs include:
- anxiety, depression or irritability;
- suspicion, hostility or fearfulness;
- difficulty sleeping, or unusual waking hours;
- appetite changes;
- loss of energy, motivation and interest, or hyperactivity, or alternating between the two;.
- concentration or memory problems;
- preoccupation with certain ideas (such as religion);
- social withdrawal - not wanting to spend time with friends and family members;
- thinking problems such as racing thoughts or slowed down thoughts;
- difficulty meeting responsibilities such as work or study;
- deterioration in self-care; and
- changes in personality - going from cheerful and friendly to vague, detached, dreamy, withdrawn, losing the point of conversations, or pausing during conversation and looking lost.
Just like the symptoms of psychoses, the early warning signs vary from person to person, and some can be vague and not very obvious. None of these signs by themselves mean that a psychotic episode is developing. Some of these signs may be related to; a physical illness; stresses and strains at work or study; or problems in important relationships. In other words, none are specific to any illness particular illness, but are rather general indicators. If a loved one shows several of these signs and symptoms do not subside rapidly, or they become more pronounced over time, then it would be very wise to encourage him/her to seek specialist assistance, or for you to seek specialist assistance on your loved one's behalf. If changes in the person's behaviour are signs of a developing psychosis, then the earlier the person receives specialist assistance, the better.
