First psychotic episode: how to recognize it and what to do? – In the news

2024-01-17 15:11:19

January 17, 2024

It usually occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood. It concerns around three people in a hundred, men and women from all cultures and socio-economic strata. Discovery of the first psychotic episode (PEP).

The expression comes from the term psychosis which denotes a loss of contact with reality. When a person has difficulty distinguishing what is real from what is not, specialists describe that they are experiencing a psychotic episode. The “first psychotic episode” (PEP) thus corresponds to the first time that an individual loses contact with reality.

The experience often appears to be described as terrifying and characterized by a loss of bearings. But as Canadian scientists Sarah Bromley, Monica Choi and Sabiha Faruqui point out in an information guide published on the subject, “ psychosis can be treated. Many people recover from a first psychotic episode and will never have such an experience once more. ».

What causes?

It often appears difficult to determine them. It is generally a conjunction of different biological factors, of which heredity is one. Beyond that, the first psychotic episode can occur in reaction to a particularly stressful event or the consumption of drugs (alcohol, cannabis, etc.). In the same way, ” an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals produced by the brain), including dopamine and serotonin, can also contribute to the onset of psychosis », underline the three authors.

Various symptoms

They add that this psychosis can “ strike without warning or develop very gradually “. Among the symptoms, they cite delusions – “ stubborn erroneous beliefs, unfounded in the cultural environment » – hallucinations or even speech, thought or behavior disorders. Speech problems, difficulty expressing thoughts clearly and/or undertaking tasks or even a “ decreased interest in social relationships and decreased motivation » can also characterize this PEP.

And the support?

It will depend on the type of psychosis. Generally speaking, treatment combines pharmacotherapy – medication monitoring – with therapy. Not considering ” family members have an important role to play within the treatment team, to whom they can provide valuable information regarding psychotic symptoms and their course, as well as regarding the functional abilities of the person before the onset of disease », conclude the scientists.

Source: The first psychotic episode – Information guide. By Sarah Bromley, Monica Choi, Sabiha Faruqui. The Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Written by: David Picot – Edited by: Emmanuel Ducreuzet

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