What are the 3 stages of psychosis?

Jesse has been hearing, smelling, and seeing things that other people aren't. He has also become paranoid that someone is following him.

After consulting a mental health professional, Jesse was diagnosed with amental health condition called psychosis,which affects around 100,000 people each year in the US.

Photo by Nik Shuliahin 💛💙 on Unsplash

Do you think you have a friend or know someone who may be showing signs of psychosis?

Learn how to recognize the stages of psychosis to help reduce the stigma and normalize conversations around mental health.

What is psychosis?

The word psychosis is used to describe conditions that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality. When someone becomes ill in this way, it is called a psychotic episode.

-- National Institute of Mental Health

Psychosis develops gradually over 3 stages:

1. Prodromal stage

2. Acute stage

3. Recovery stage

image from "Phases of Psychosis"

Who does psychosis affect?

Psychosis can affect people of all ages, though it most commonly starts during a person's late teens to mid-twenties. It can be triggered by things such as trauma, substance abuse, physical illness, or a mental health condition.

Photo by Dmitry Schemelev on Unsplash

The prodromal stage is the early stage of psychosis where individuals begin to experience changes in how they perceive things about themselves.

A person may experience number of vague changes to their:

• feelings

• thoughts

• perceptions

• behaviors

A person's symptoms may be vague or hard to notice. They may:

• feel depressed, anxious, suspicious, or irritable

• have difficulty concentrating and interpreting information

• have changes in appetite

• experience sleep disturbances

⚡Apply your knowledge of the prodromal stage of psychosis:

Bailey is upset today because her friends are too busy to hang out with her.

Jennifer has been feeling anxious and having a hard time sleeping lately.

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At the acute stage, a person may experience distinct symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. These are noticeable and often distressing for the person.

A person with hallucinations may experience:

• hearing strange voices

• see things that don't exist

• feel skin sensations even though nothing is touching their body

• smell strange odors or funny taste in their mouth

A person with delusions may experience or believe:

• they're being followed, controlled, or plotted against

• they have a special power

• feel responsible for a negative event such as a plane crash

⚡Apply your knowledge of the acute stage of psychosis:

Joseph thinks his neighbor is plotting against him. He feels paranoid and is hearing hostile voices that others are not hearing.

Jay was playing baseball and accidentally broke his mom's window. His mom got upset with him. Now he feels annoyed with himself and guilty.

The aid to successful treatment for someone experiencing psychosis begins with early medical invention, which occurs at the recovery stage.

A person's recovery stage starts with treatment such as:

• antipsychotic medication

• psychosocial interventions like therapy and counseling

• education and practical assistance for managing the illness

The recovery time and process may differ for each person:

• symptoms may become less intense or disappear

• people might once again able to cope with their daily lives

⚡Apply your knowledge of the recovery stage of psychosis:

Alanna is able to eat and sleep well after a few months of treatment. She has been seeing a therapist and taking medications. Although she occasionally has symptoms, they're happening less frequently.

Yoshi went to the doctor with his family for a review, medication treatment, and therapy. Yoshi is still constantly in fear that a secret agent is following him. He attends therapy and is taking his medication.

Now that you can recognize the three stages of psychosis: