Phases+of+Psychosis

=__Three Phases of Psychosis__=

**Phase One: The At-Risk or Prodromal Phase**
This prodromal phase is characterized by nonspecific symptoms regarding one's mood and anxiety levels. Some indicators may include negative symptoms such as; low energy levels and poor communication capabilities (Chiliza, Oosthuizen & Emsley, 2008, p.14). This phase also includes positive symptoms such as atypical thinking patterns or hallucinations (Chiliza, Oosthuizen & Emsley, 2008, p.14). This phase is difficult to diagnose, and often people experiencing such symptoms do not receive appropriate medical attention (Tanskanen, Morant, Hinton, Lloyd-Evans, Crosby, Killaspy, Raine, Pilling & Johnson, 2011, p. 1).

**Phase Two: The Active or Acute Phase**
The acute phase is where many people will seek medical attention and are viewed as presenting with schizophrenic symptomology (Chiliza, Oosthuizen & Emsley, 2008, p. 15). Positive symptoms at this phase include; delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech (Chiliza, Oosthuizen & Emsley, 2008, p. 15). Mood symptoms in this phase almost always consist of depression and Negative symptoms include; poor drive, lethargy, poor hygiene and emotional withdrawal (Chiliza, Oosthuizen & Emsley, 2008, p. 1).

**Phase Three: The Recovery Phase**
The recovery phase is where people begin to return to their normal levels of functioning and a significant reduction or elimination in symptoms. In this phase they are also in primary control over services and treatment plans to build self esteem and empowerment ( Penn, Waldheter, Perkins, Mueser & Lieberman, 2005, p. 2220). Most first episode psychosis patients will respond to some form of treatment within weeks from onset and more than 80% will remit within one year, unfortunately many of these people will relapse within the first few years after remission (Penn et al., 2005, p. 2220). It is critical that it is treated early on in its progression and that there is a continuation of treatment.

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//Join 5 young people as they share their personal experiences with psychosis and their journey to recovery. Video by CAMH.//

//**Case Example:**//
The **negative symptoms** Tom is experiencing include; emotional withdrawal and apathy, as connected to his dropping out of school and spending all of his time in his room. The **positive symptoms** Tom is experiencing include; delusions, involving alien activity of stealing his thoughts and "occupying" his room and hallucinations, seen as the whispering he hears from the aliens. Tom's known **risk factors** include his use of cannabis as a potential factor that may contribute to the onset of this first episode of psychosis. Tom has been admitted to the hospital in the **acute phase**, this is seen in the case scenario as he has already withdrawn from others and isolated himself. It is further seen because he is experiencing active delusions regarding aliens and experiences hallucinations involving their "whispering".