​​​​PSYCHOSIS is a mental condition which affects an individual’s thinking, perception, feelings and behaviours. It’s characterised by delusions, hallucinations and disorganised behaviour, which can cause people to lose touch with reality. It causes significant distress and impairment to them and their loved ones.

Psychosis is serious, and it mostly strikes during late adolescence and early adulthood. However, early intervention and treatment has been shown to lead to better treatment outcomes. There are new and more effective medications, as well as improved programmes which contribute to a better outcome for individuals with psychosis.

Getting help

If you or someone you know is having experiencing symptoms of psychosis, or are feeling unsure, seek professional help by contacting CHAT for a mental health check, or approach:

Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP)

This is a national programme that aims to enhance early detection of those with psychosis. Through the provision of a multi-faceted and multidisciplinary approach, EPIP aims to improve outcome and save lives. It provides integrated multidisciplinary treatment with medication, psychotherapy, family therapy, psychoeducation and social / vocational rehabilitation for those aged between 18 and 40.

​For more information, please visit their website.

Practical tips for managing psychosis

• Experiment ways of coping with the voices.
  You could learn to be assertive (e.g. “I’m too busy to talk now”) or to ignore the voices. You could also distract yourself from them by: keeping yourself busy, listening to music, or engaging in activities such as writing, drawing and praying. Take the time to find the method(s) that suits you best!
  
• Learn relaxation exercises,
  such as deep abdominal breathing, progressive muscle relaxation or mindfulness mediation (search them up on YouTube!). Making a conscious effort to relax will help in reducing the tension, stress and emotional build-up from the voices.
  
• Reward yourself each time you take control of the voices.
  When voices become less frequent, some people find they can be left with a void to fill. If this happens, you may become anxious and this may “invite” the voices back. Be aware of these times, think positively, stay in control and get support from your friends or family.
  
• Educating others on how best to help you. There are people who want to support you in coping with your experiences. Let them know how they can help. Give clear descriptions of what you find helpful and why.