Health · England
Understanding psychosis
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Psychosis affects how someone experiences reality.
You can get treatment and support.
Different experiences
You may hear or see things other people do not.
You may have strong beliefs that do not match the evidence.
Thinking or talking clearly may feel difficult.
Ask for help early
Contact a GP immediately if you think you are experiencing psychosis.
For urgent mental health help, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
Emergency help
Call 999 or go to A&E if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
Use emergency help for voices telling you to harm yourself or someone else.
Understanding what is happening
An assessment looks at your health and experiences.
Tell the team about medicines and changes in your life.
Ask for explanations you understand.
Your treatment choices
Talking therapy, medicines and practical support can help.
Ask about benefits, side effects and other choices.
Do not change medicines yourself.
Your physical health
Ask which health checks you need.
Tell the team about side effects or new symptoms.
A plan for your life
Your goals and relationships matter.
Agree what support you need and when it will be reviewed.
People you choose
You can ask someone you trust to support you.
People should listen calmly and respect your wishes.
Keep in touch
Know who to contact if things change.
Ask for a copy of your care plan.
Ask for help to share your views.
What you can do next
Ask for early assessment and a care plan you understand.
Use urgent or emergency help when needed.
Read NHS information about psychosis Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- NHS: psychosis Web page
Experiences, causes, getting help and care options.
- NHS: urgent mental health support Web page
NHS 111 mental health support and emergency help.
- NICE: psychosis care for adults Web page
Guidance on early intervention, treatment, recovery and support for carers.
- NHS: annual health checks for severe mental health conditions Web page
Physical health checks for adults with psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
- Mind: supporting someone with psychosis Web page
Practical ways to listen, respect choices and support recovery.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Psychosis: understanding experiences and getting help
Understand psychosis, early assessment, treatment choices and support for recovery and everyday life.
England · General information
What psychosis means
Psychosis describes experiences such as hallucinations, strongly held beliefs that do not match available evidence, or very confused thinking and speech. Hallucinations are perceptions without an outside source. Experiences vary, and a clinician needs to understand them in context. A psychotic episode does not by itself establish schizophrenia. People experiencing psychosis deserve respectful care and opportunities for recovery.
Look for the individual explanation
Psychosis can occur with different mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression. Physical illness, prescribed medicines, drugs, alcohol, severe stress or trauma can also be relevant. The assessment should consider physical and mental health, sleep, development, culture and life circumstances. Do not assume that every unusual belief, communication style or change has the same explanation.
Ask for help promptly
Contact a GP immediately if you think you are experiencing psychosis. If you need urgent mental health support and it is not an emergency, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. If already receiving care, contact your mental health team or follow your crisis plan. Call 999 or go to A&E for immediate danger, voices telling you to harm yourself or others, sudden confusion or rapidly worsening hallucinations.
Assessment and early intervention
A specialist will ask about your experiences, health, medicines and daily life. Ask for communication support and a person you trust if wanted. NICE recommends assessment without delay by an early intervention in psychosis service for a first episode or first presentation. Referral routes vary locally. Ask who will coordinate care and explain the assessment, including anything that remains uncertain.
Understand treatment choices
Treatment often combines talking therapy, medicines and practical support. Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, can help you explore experiences and ways of coping. Family intervention can help people you choose understand and support you. Discuss the purpose, possible benefits and side effects of any medicine with the prescriber. Ask how treatment will be reviewed. Do not stop prescribed medicines suddenly or change doses without advice.
Keep physical health in the plan
Mental health care should include physical health and the effects of treatment. Ask about checks such as blood pressure, blood tests and weight, and who will organise them. Report side effects or new symptoms rather than assuming you must tolerate them. Adults with psychosis can have an annual physical health check through their GP or mental health service. Additional medicine monitoring may be needed between annual checks.
Plan recovery around your life
Agree a written plan covering your goals, treatment, useful support and review dates. Include housing, education, work, relationships or activities that matter to you. Identify early changes that may mean you need more support and what to do then. Ask for clear contact details. Progress and support needs vary; review the plan with you rather than making assumptions about your future.
Support from people you choose
Supporters can listen calmly, use clear language and acknowledge distress without confirming an unverified threat. Avoid arguments or pressure to recover at a particular speed. Agree what information can be shared and with whom. Family members and carers can ask for education and support too. Ask about advocacy if you need help expressing your views or understanding decisions.
Words you could use
“Please explain what is happening, involve me in decisions and help me make a care plan that supports my everyday life.”
More useful links
- NHS: psychosis Web page
Experiences, causes, getting help and care options.
- NHS: urgent mental health support Web page
NHS 111 mental health support and emergency help.
- NICE: psychosis care for adults Web page
Guidance on early intervention, treatment, recovery and support for carers.
- NHS: annual health checks for severe mental health conditions Web page
Physical health checks for adults with psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
- Mind: supporting someone with psychosis Web page
Practical ways to listen, respect choices and support recovery.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 9 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- NHS: psychosis overview Web page
Symptoms, causes, prompt medical help and treatment.
- NHS: psychosis diagnosis Web page
Individual assessment, clinical history, medicines and daily functioning.
- NHS: psychosis treatment Web page
Talking therapies, medicines, treatment review and practical support.
- NICE CG178: recommendations Web page
Early intervention, comprehensive assessment, collaborative care and physical monitoring.
- NICE NG54: recommendations Web page
Accessible assessment and care plans for people with learning disabilities.
- NHS: urgent support Web page
Urgent NHS 111 mental health option and emergency help when someone is in danger.
- NHS: hallucinations Web page
Emergency thresholds involving commands to harm, sudden confusion and rapidly worsening hallucinations.
- NHS: annual health check for severe mental health conditions Web page
Physical health reviews and medicine discussion for adults with psychosis.
- NHS LikeMind: helping a friend or relative Web page
Calm listening, avoiding arguments and supporting the person’s own pace of recovery.
- Mind: supporting someone experiencing psychosis Web page
Responding to distress without affirming the experience and respecting choices.
- NHS: psychosis symptoms Web page
Hallucinations, delusions and changes in thinking and speech.