Why Early Intervention?

Identifying psychosis early has been shown to dramatically reduce the duration of the illness and the need for medication and hospital stays. Specialized early intervention helps people to get better faster and return to their regular lives more quickly. This is particularly important for teenagers and young adults, as psychosis can seriously disrupt the development of personal identity, the formation of relationships, and the ability to maintain work or study.

A person experiencing a psychotic episode is often isolated from others in their life, including family, friends, and partners. Left untreated, an episode can cause growing disruption to relationships, work, and schooling. This can also cause secondary problems—such as unemployment, substance abuse, depression, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts—to arise or intensify. Delaying treatment may also lead to a slower or less complete recovery.

If you suspect you have experienced a psychotic episode, get help as soon as possible! Mental illness is treatable, and people can and do recover. Early detection can help prevent many problems, and current treatments are so effective that almost everyone can recover from a first episode of psychosis. Getting treatment early greatly increases an individual’s odds of being able to enjoy a healthy and productive future.