What is Psychosis?
Psychosis is a mental health condition which changes the way a person perceives and thinks about the world around them. People with psychosis may hear voices, see things that others cannot, or have unusual thoughts or beliefs such as feelings of being persecuted or spied upon. In England, psychosis affects over 9,000 people each year for the first time, often beginning during adolescence or early adulthood.
Psychosis can have a big impact on people’s lives. It can make it harder to stay in education, find a job or stay employed. It can sometimes make it hard to maintain social relationships or continue with daily activities that people previously enjoyed.
Certain groups have a higher chance of experiencing psychosis. For example, young men, menopausal women, people from more deprived communities, or people from some ethnic minority backgrounds.
Early treatment for psychosis can help people make a better recovery from psychosis. In England, the NHS provides specialist Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services for anyone aged 14-65 years old who is experiencing psychosis for the first time. These teams provide various forms of care (including CBTp, supported education & employment and physical health monitoring) to help people recover.
For more information on psychosis, including where to find help if you are worried about yourself or someone else, you can visit the NHS website: