A psychotic episode begins with early signs, rather vague, often noticed first by those around him. It is important that these signs give rise to a medial evaluation because the earlier a psychotic disorder is treated, the more effective the management. 

The term psychosis describes a mental illness characterized by a loss of contact with reality more or less lasting. The period during which the person is ill is called a “psychotic episode”. Relatively common, psychosis occurs most often in young adults. Out of 100 young adults, about 3 will experience a psychotic episode. 

Psychoses are caused by dysfunction of the brain. Different pathologies can be involved, such as psychosis of toxic origin, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, delusional disorder.

A psychotic episode can occur in anyone under certain circumstances (for example in the event of consumption of psychotropic substances: alcohol, drugs, medication, etc.)

A first psychotic episode refers to the time when, for the first time, a person exhibits psychotic symptoms. People who have a first episode of psychosis have very disturbing and very strange symptoms.

These symptoms can affect thinking, emotions, perceptions, and behavior. The most characteristic symptoms of a psychotic episode are confused thoughts, false beliefs or delusions (believing yourself to be under surveillance by the police, for example), hallucinations (seeing, hearing, feeling things that are not do not exist), changes in emotions and changes in behavior (feeling strange, cut off from the world, unusually depressed or excited, being hyperactive / active or lethargic, not eating or sleeping , get angry or laugh for no reason …)

The psychotic episode takes place in three phases which vary in length. 

The first signs of phase 1 (prodromal phase). These are symptoms that are difficult to observe. These can be changes in the way people see themselves and experience their emotions, thoughts and perceptions.

The signs of phase 2 are hallucinations, delusions, or confused thoughts. 

Phase 3 of a psychotic episode is that of healing.

Many people will no longer have a psychotic episode after a first episode. Others have periods of remission between psychotic episodes. 

Treatment for a psychotic episode should be as early as possible. Treatment started late may result in slower or incomplete recovery. It is therefore essential to consult a general practitioner or a psychiatrist in front of signs suggestive of psychosis.

Before the appearance of obvious signs of psychosis, the affected person shows early signs. These signs are vague and difficult to identify. Those around you are often the first to notice changes in the person’s behavior. 

The signs that can alert if they are persistent? The person may become suspicious, depressed, anxious, tense, irritable, angry. It may present with mood swings, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, loss of energy or motivation, difficulty concentrating or memory impairment, difficulty understanding meaning from what he is told, an extreme concern for philosophical and / or religious subjects, a feeling of being unreal, strange, as if disconnected from oneself … Those around him may also notice that his behavior changes, that the person is isolating himself , loses interest in social relationships, becomes less active …

These signs are not necessarily associated with psychosis, but a medical evaluation can see if a psychotic disorder is developing. The earlier a psychosis is detected and treated, the better the prognosis for recovery.