Episode Details

1. Understanding Psychotic Symptoms

• Psychosis Definition: Includes hallucinations (seeing/hearing things not present) and delusions (firmly held false beliefs).
• Associated Disorders: Present in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and more.

2. Common Triggers and Causes of Psychotic Episodes

• Stress: A major factor that can trigger or exacerbate symptoms.
• Medication Compliance: Non-adherence or imbalance can lead to breakthrough symptoms.
• Physical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, sleep deprivation, and traumatic brain injuries may contribute to psychosis.

3. Strategies to Support Someone with Psychosis

• Create a Safe Environment: Focus on safety and security rather than challenging their reality.
• Reduce Stress: Identify and mitigate stressors (emotional, physical, or environmental).
• Develop an Emergency Plan: Be prepared with a relapse or prodromal symptom plan.

4. Managing Symptoms in Acute Episodes

• Join Their Reality: Instead of arguing, acknowledge their experience and work on creating a sense of safety.
• Behavioral Observations: Examine behavior as a form of communication to understand underlying needs.

5. Long-Term Interventions

• CBT for Psychosis (CBTp): Effective in residual symptoms or remission but not during acute episodes.
• Motivation and Scaffolding: Help individuals develop motivation for self-care tasks using step-by-step guidance and rewards.

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