People living with psychoses struggle to manage relentless, unwanted thoughts and feelings. Imagine what it must be like trying to concentrate, plan and communicate under such conditions?
Early symptoms include:
- Confused thinking
- Problems with memory and concentration
- Thinking or experiencing strange things which are not real
- Difficulties in understanding what is happening to you
- Withdrawing from friends or family because they seem to have turned against you or they are acting suspiciously
- Persistently feeling lost and miserable, or hopeless, or angry and frightened
- Feeling flat and down, or numb and lifeless, lacking motivation to do work or go out and have a good time
- Acting erratically, or taking big risks socially or with your safety
- Changes in your sleeping, eating and activity cycles that are out of character.
If you think you are suffering from any of these symptoms, or know a young person who is – seek professional advice early (see getting help page) for the best chance of optimising health.