How to Help Someone in a Psychotic Episode

Although the term “psychosis” can be thrown around easily, the diagnosis often goes much deeper than describing a person’s erratic or abnormal behavior. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a phase of psychosis is what happens when a person’s “thoughts and perceptions are disturbed” and they “have trouble understanding what is real and what is not.”

In a psychiatric episode (sometimes referred to as a “psychotic episode”), “people experience auditory and/or visual hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and speech,” Akos Antwi, a psychiatric nurse, tells POPSUGAR. However, one person’s psychiatric episode will look different than another – as it depends on a variety of factors, including the specific diagnosis.

For example, licensed clinical psychologist Janelle S. Peifer, PhD states that during a depressive psychiatric episode or crisis, “increased suicidal thoughts, withdrawal, trouble sleeping, or more emotional reactivity may occur.” With a manic psychiatric episode, “you may see more risky behaviors, excessive spending, and increased sexual risk-taking.” And with schizophrenia or a psychotic episode, “people may hear voices, become paranoid, or begin to engage in worrisome behaviors.”

Overall, however, a psychiatric episode looks like “a significant change in behavior” at which a person “is no longer able to effectively manage the demands of their typical life,” says Dr. piper. There is also no definite length of time that a psychiatric episode can last.

The good news is that it is possible to address this behavior and get help; The tricky part is that many people in a psychiatric episode don’t always realize they are in one. Because of this, it’s incredibly important not only to understand the signs and symptoms of a psychiatric episode, but also to know how to support friends and family as they go through an episode themselves.

With the help of our two experts, you’ll find up front some helpful tips to keep in mind when supporting someone in the midst of a psychiatric episode.

Know that you may need to stand up for them

As mentioned earlier, many people in the midst of a psychiatric episode don’t always realize they are in one. Because of this, you may need to notify other close family members or friends to get them the right help they need. Although you may think it’s wrong to self-diagnose a close friend or family member who may be suffering from psychosis, when you notice warning signs, Antwi affirms, “It’s not wrong to assume that a friend or family member has a psychosis.” undergoing psychiatric episode.”

That said, don’t assume someone is suffering from psychosis just because they look particularly sad or different that day. Antwi advises paying close attention to that person’s “unique warning signs and risk factors.” She says that one of the essential steps to making sure people affected can get the support they need is to understand what these symptoms look like and how they can present themselves differently in different people.

To learn more about a person’s specific warning signs, it would be helpful to talk to them about them before they might have another episode or right after an episode. You can ask them how their psychiatric episodes are manifesting, And what warning signs to look out for. This can be helpful as after an episode ends some people can tell when they were in one and therefore provide insight into what it looked like and how it manifested. You can also check the NIMH’s website for a list of signs and symptoms of psychosis.

Offer to help

People going through a psychiatric episode may find it difficult to do things they would otherwise normally do. For this reason, Dr. Peifer volunteers to help with the basics like bringing or offering them food, looking after their pets, or looking after their children. You can also just stop by regularly to share your concern and concern.

Listen to them without judging

You want to create a safe space where your loved one feels comfortable talking about their mental health, especially considering “many people feel that their symptoms are compounded by fear of judgment, stigma, minimization, or ostracism.” become worse,” says Dr. piper.

To make this possible, she recommends letting them know you’re there to talk about their experiences and their recovery. In some cases, that verbal affirmation may be all they need to feel like they can open up. You can also show your support by constantly checking in with them and asking how they’re doing — before, during, and after an episode.

If they decide to open up, be careful not to invalidate their feelings and remind them that it’s okay to feel that way. dr Peifer advises “using first-person statements without judgment from a warm, authentic space of caring.” You can say things like, “I’ve noticed you seem to be having problems lately…is there anything I can do to help, or would you like to talk to us about it?” and “I care about you and want to make sure that you’re fine… how have you been feeling lately?” It would also be helpful to ask them if they just want someone to listen or if they’re open to advice. You can directly say, “Are you looking for someone to just listen to you, or do you mind if I offer you resources and advice as well?”

Connect them to resources

While you may need to advocate for your loved one by letting other family members or friends know about their mental health condition, playing doctor is also not your responsibility. “Just as you would not try to stabilize someone who is bleeding, it is not your duty to ‘fix’ a psychiatric episode,” says Dr. piper.

Instead, you can encourage that person to call the 988 mental health hotline or, with their consent, take them to an emergency room to be evaluated for admission to a mental health facility. You can also connect them to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which offers additional information about psychosis and a hotline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or encourage them to speak to a professional mental health professional via a virtual one Services like Betterhelp or Talkspace (or you can contact their therapist directly if they already have one).

However, Antwi adds that it’s important to respect what that person does or doesn’t want to do, and you shouldn’t “try to take charge or make decisions without them.” While you may want what is best for them, it is ultimately up to them to decide what actions to take amidst their psychiatric episode. And if they don’t want to seek additional help, you can continue to be there for them by offering support, giving them your time and attention, providing resources to seek if and when they want help, and listening to them.

The only exception would be when that person begins to express suicidal thoughts (such as “I’m considering killing myself” or “The world would be better off without me”), violence toward others, or abuse and neglect of vulnerable individuals such as children , he says Dr Peifer. At this point, she recommends that you refer that person to a higher level of crisis care.