Treatment programs
disorders treated
Early Psychosis
Quick facts
Psychosis is simply a condition caused by any one of a group of illneses, which affect the brain, where there is some loss of contact with reality. It has its origin in Greek - psyche, meaning the mind and osis, meaning a state of illness.
When someone becomes ill in this way and loses contact with reality, it is called a psychotic episode. People who have experienced this often call it spinning out or going off the planet. With time and the proper treatment, most people recover from a psychotic episode. Many never have an episode again.
For some people there may be further episodes, especially where there has been insufficient treatment or symptoms do not respond to treatment. Symptoms may also affect how well the person manages day-to-day life, causing varying degrees of psychiatric disability. It is important, therefore, that those affected receive rehabilitation and support for this disability, as well as clinical treatment for the actual illness.
Psychosis varies greatly, and the term covers a number of related illnesses.
Some people experience only one or two episodes in a lifetime. At the other extreme, a minority, experience psychotic symptoms on a daily basis.
Further reading
options for Treatment
A person who becomes psychotic may receive treatment from a number of possible sources. General practitioners, private psychiatrists and Community Mental Health Clinics can provide basic care.
If the person's psychosis is seriously disturbing, hospitalisation may be necessary. Psychiatric hospitals (both public and private) and psychiatric wards in general hospitals all treat many people who are psychotic.
Psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, or prodromal symptoms (warning signals), may cause distress, fear and confusion in the person who is experiencing them and so lead that person to seek help. In such cases, if hospitalisation is necessary, then the person can admit themselves into a hospital as a voluntary patient.
Sometimes, however, a person who is developing or who has already developed a psychosis does not realise that he/she is in need of assistance.
This is sometimes due to the fact that delusions and hallucinations can be so convincing that the person who is experiencing them believes them to be real. Other people (such as relatives, friends and workmates) may become concerned but be unsure what to do, especially if the affected person refused help or does not want to talk about what he/she is experiencing, or the things that are causing worry.
In cases like this, the situation may worsen until a crisis occurs. Then the person who has developed psychotic symptoms may need to be admitted to hospital against his or her wishes.
Treatment generally involves a number of approaches. Central to the management of the psychotic symptoms will be medication. This is usually done in conjunction with some education about psychosis, and the types of symptoms that have been experienced, the role and importance of complying with medical treatments and possible side effects.
Education about a range of strategies which can assist in the management of psychotic symptoms including cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation, stress management life style balance is usually also recommended. Therapy will aim to promote skills of communication and assertion and encourage the development and use of support systems including family members, parents and other support people in the process.
Early Psychosis Program
Perth Clinic offers an Early Psychosis Program. The programme is often run in conjunction with the adolescent and young adult therapy programmes. It may also include other streams if this is considered necessary or useful by the psychiatrist.
The programmes aims to...
- Educate you about psychosis and give you the opportunity to talk to other people who have experienced psychotic episodes.
- Identify and clarify what you see as problems and accurately / realistically evaluate these
- Promote self assurance and confidence in your ability to make changes.
provide a supportive and caring environment for you. - Educate you about a range of strategies which can assist in the management of psychotic symptoms (including cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation, stress management life style balance)
- Promote skills of communication and assertion
- Encourage the development and use of support systems
- Include family members / parents / support people in the process
- Educate you and your support and people on medication, compliance and side effects
- Address the relationship between psychosis and drugs
The groups are open groups, generally facilitated by one therapist who is either an occupational therapist or clinical psychologist. There are a maximum of six participants in each group. The opal programme runs from 9:15 am to 3:00 pm each Friday.
Structured care
The structured Care Programme aims to provide support, structure and meaning for those individuals who have extreme levels of anxiety, depression, stress or other severe symptoms which need to be stabilised or contained.
Within the therapy programme patients are involved in activity-based therapy, social outings, education, self-esteem/self awareness activities, crisis management, daily/weekend planning and re-motivation groups.
The programme is based on attendance from 9.15 am to 3.00 pm daily. This offers three group sessions daily of 1.5 hours each (4.5 hours contact time daily).
The adolescent and Young Adult Acute Stream
The adolescent and young adult acute stream is a flexible, intensive program. This program aims to teach adolescents and young adults new coping skills and strategies which allow them to cope more effectively with the problems they are experiencing. This service includes dealing with crisis management, distress reduction and psychoeducation.
Topics which are covered in the group include goal setting and planning, anxiety and depression management, coping skills, relaxation, stress management, and specialist modules. There is a great emphasis on psychoeducation about the psychotic disorder, which can also include family members where necessary.
The group runs daily from Monday to Friday, from 9.15 am - 3.00pm. The programme is available for those between 13 and 25 years.