Vancouver/Richmond EPI
Early Psychosis Intervention

Early or Warning Signs of Psychosis

The following symptoms may indicate that an individual is experiencing psychosis or is in theprodromal phase. Frequently, individuals will display unusual behaviours prior to the onset of the acute psychotic episode. It is useful to educate individuals with psychosis about these symptoms once they've recovered from the episode, and to help them identify which symptoms are their personal "warning signs" of relapse.
Behavioural

Strange posturing
Odd or bizarre behaviour
Feeling refreshed after much less sleep than normal
Excessive writing without meaning
Cutting oneself; threats of self-mutilation
Deterioration of personal hygiene
Hyperactivity or inactivity, or alternating between the two
Staring without blinking - or blinking incessantly
Agitation
Severe sleep disturbances
Drug or alcohol abuse (This may be a coping mechanism: self-medicating)

Thinking and Speech
Things around them seem changed in some way
Rapid speech that is difficult to interrupt
Irrational statements
Extreme preoccupation with religion or with the occult
Peculiar use of words or odd language structures
Unusual sensitivity to stimuli (noise, light, colours, textures)
Memory problems
Severe distractibility

Social
Sensitivity and irritability when touched by others
Refusal to touch persons or objects; wearing gloves, etc.
Severe deterioration of social relationships
Dropping out of activities - or out of life in general
Social withdrawal, isolation, and reclusive
Unexpected aggression
Suspiciousness

Emotional
Inappropriate laughter
Inability to cry, or excessive crying
Feelings of depression and anxiety
Inability to express joy
Euphoric mood Personality
Reckless behaviours that are out of character
Significantly prolonged drops in motivation or speech
Shift in basic personality.

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