Partial federal government shutdown
HCA does not anticipate any immediate impacts to our services or disruption to provider payments at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates if anything changes.
HCA does not anticipate any immediate impacts to our services or disruption to provider payments at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates if anything changes.
Psychosis refers to a collection of symptoms that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality. During an episode of psychosis, a person’s thoughts and perceptions are disrupted, and they may have difficulty recognizing what is real and what is not. Learn more about what to look for and where to go to get help.
Psychosis often begins in young adulthood when a person is in their late teens to mid-20s. However, people can experience a psychotic episode at younger and older ages and as a part of many disorders and illnesses.
Sometimes, and depending on the cultural context, psychosis may not be a cause for concern. In other instances, these experiences may be disruptive to a person’s life and wellbeing, causing significant distress and decline in functioning.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) approximately 100,000 young people will experience psychosis each year, and as many as 3 in 100 people will experience psychosis in their lifetime.
Despite common myths that promote the belief that a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder is akin to a life-sentence of accumulating disability and social marginalization, the truth is that recovery from psychosis is not only possible, but common. Individuals that experience a first episode of psychosis can access person-centered treatment and, with the support of their loved ones and communities, go on to define their own meaning of recovery and lead fulfilling lives.
National Institute of Mental Health, “Understanding Psychosis”; Pat Deegan, “Putting the Human Back in Human Services”
If someone you know is experiencing symptoms, you can talk to your doctor, or request a referral for New Journeys, which is Washington State’s Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis. Anyone can make a referral by visiting the website and filling out the referral form.
New Journeys teams are trained to provide outreach, screening, assessment, specialized treatment, and referrals to other community-based supports for individuals experiencing symptoms and their families. New Journeys services are currently available in the following areas:
The early signs of psychosis may be subtle, and each person’s experience will be unique. Here are some common signs and symptoms.
During an episode of psychosis, a person experiences symptoms that cause disruption to their personal well-being and functioning. During an episode, symptoms are frequent and persistent.
There is no one cause of psychosis. Psychosis may have a variety of underlying causes, including:
Psychotic-Like Experiences, or PLEs, are defined as psychotic symptoms in absence of an underlying psychiatric or medical cause.
Examples include:
PLEs typically are;
Additionally, some research indicates that PLEs may be considered a psychosis risk state, and that individuals that experience PLEs may be more vulnerable to developing a mental health disorder in their lifetime.
Find publications, resources, and information about psychosis, New Journeys, and the First Episode Psychosis Initiative in Washington State.
This list of recent articles and videos highlights first episode initiatives across the United States.