Early Intervention in Psychosis

Psychosis is not uncommon.

Research shows that people are most likely to experience psychosis for the first time in their late teens to early thirties, but it can happen for many different reasons.

This could be because of increased stress from a change in circumstances, existing anxieties that we may have, or because of a distressing situation. 

Symptoms can be different from person to person.

You may feel that something isn't right but can't quite identify what the problem is. It may be that you feel suspicious or paranoid, experience loss of sleep or appetite, or find it difficult to concentrate.

There are common things to look out for, such as:

• Seeing, hearing, or feeling sensations of things that aren’t there (hallucinations)
• Feeling as though an outside force or person is interfering with your thoughts or actions (ideas of reference)
• Thinking that people are conspiring against you (paranoia), that you have special powers or skills and/or that people on TV or the radio are talking to or about you (delusions)
• Having constant trouble putting thoughts in order or keeping track of usual tasks (thought disorder) 

The symptoms of psychosis vary a lot between individuals, and you might not experience all of the signs here.

Most people who experience psychosis do recover and return to work, or complete university for example. However, approximately 30% of people may experience ongoing problems. 

See a list of Psychosis symptoms on the NHS website (new browser tab)

Watch this video we created together with Epic Minds to learn more about psychosis and hear of other people’s experiences.

Watch the EPIC MINDS - What is Psychosis video on Vimeo (new browser tab)

We support people who are having unusual and distressing experiences.

Evidence shows that early intervention in the first few months and years is important in supporting a person in their recovery.

Symptoms of psychosis can manifest in different mental health presentations, which benefit from different types of intervention.

We help people that have a combination of symptoms. This could be ‘positive’ symptoms such as delusions, and hallucinations, and ‘negative’ symptoms such as a reduction in doing things that you used to enjoy like going to work/school or university, seeing friends and family, and feeling lower in mood.

We offer treatments that have been proven to be effective (evidence-based) to help reduce distress, reduce the progression of the symptoms, and aid in a person’s recovery.

We have dedicated clinical leads, named workers, consultant psychiatrists and support from a prescribing pharmacist, psychologists, CBT therapist, and advanced clinical support workers. 

We aim to:

• Reduce the negative impact of psychosis on clients, families, and society during the early stages
• Involve families in the treatment process
• Use evidence-based treatments for individuals, groups, families, medication, and vocational support
• Promote recovery and empowerment through education and resilience-building for patients and their families
• Encourage becoming a part of your social network via community and voluntary services
• Ensure seamless care with you at the centre of decision making
• Be sensitive to culture, age, gender, and sexual preferences, providing appropriate facilities and translation services

If it is suspected that you may be experiencing psychosis, or at risk of developing psychosis, you will be referred to our EIP team.

When we receive this referral, you will be contacted, and an assessment will be arranged with one of our specialists.   

One of our members will be assigned to you, to help create a care plan together with you.

This will happen within 14 days of the team receiving your referral.

If you are accepted into the team, we will work with you for a period of up to 3 years. 

You will be offered an evidence-based package of care and support which has been shown to reduce the distress and experiences of psychosis.

Everybody’s experience is different, but the majority of the people that we work with do get transferred back to their GP without the requirement of on-going support from secondary mental health services. 

Treatment 

Depending on your situation, we may offer support in different ways such as:

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp): Psychological treatment will be offered and provided by trained therapists specialised in this treatment
• Family Intervention: Individual and group intervention will be offered and run on a rolling programme throughout the year
• Carers Support and Education: To provide support, psychoeducation, identifying signs and symptoms and signposting for individual support including care act assessments, support groups and psychological intervention as needed
• Employment Support: individuals will have access to specialist Individual Placement Support workers for support to gain employment and also provide job retention support for those already in employment if required
• Physical Health: a comprehensive physical health check including monitoring of cardio metabolic screening and support accessing any interventions required. This includes blood pressure, weight, cholesterol and diabetes screening, smoking cessation and support with accessing any drug and alcohol services
• Medication: Appointments with EIP consultant psychiatrists and/or EIP Pharmacist to discuss medication, provide psychoeducation around medication, and initiation and review of medication as required 

Sometimes it is not always clear whether psychosis is the main concern you may be feeling, so we may accept you for an extended assessment. 

If it is determined that you may benefit from support from another service, we will discuss and support transition to the more appropriate team.

We support people who may be experiencing their first episode of psychosis or experiencing an at-risk mental state of a collection of mild or fleeting psychotic-like symptoms.

Referral and assessment will be based on criteria.

First Episode Psychosis Criteria

• First Presentation of psychosis.
• Primary presentation of symptoms of psychosis
• Decline in Functioning

At Risk Mental State Criteria

• Individual is experiencing distress
• Individual is in younger adulthood (typically between 14-30)
• Evidence of decline in social functioning over the last year and has been sustained for at least a month

with at least one of the following:

• Mild psychotic-like symptoms that are distressing.
• Psychotic symptoms that last for less than one week and resolve without any intervention
• Strong family history of psychotic illness (in a parent or sibling for example) 

If you feel that you, or someone else, are experiencing any of the above, you can contact us directly or ask your GP. 

Call 0300 365 2000 (Press option 4) 

Email gateway@berkshire.nhs.uk 

If you need more urgent help, you can access the trust Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team (CRHTT).

Visit our CRHTT service page

They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can provide advice, assessment, support for all ages and conditions to help you avoid going into hospital. 

Call 0800 129 9999 (calls charged at local rate) 

Alternatively, you can call NHS 111 for free.

Call 111 (free) 

Visit NHS111 website (new browser tab)

You can contact us between the following times.

We’re based at different locations across Berkshire.

Please do not visit unless you have an appointment.

Bracknell

Church Hill House
51-52 Turing Drive
Bracknell
RG12 7FR 

Maidenhead

Nicholson House
Maidenhead
SL6 1LD

Reading

Prospect House, Honey End Lane
Reading
RG30 43J

Slough

New Horizons
Pursers Court
Slough
SL2 5BX

West Berkshire

Hillcroft House
London Road
Thatcham
RG18 3AS

Wokingham

Resource House
20 Denmark Street
Wokingham
RG40 2BB

Our mental health teams and services, including Talking Therapies, are available if you need support. 

Find out how to access mental health support (opens new browser tab)

You can also find resources and guides on our website to help you if you need more advice.  

Resources to help with your mental health wellbeing (opens new browser tab)

Our Neuro-inclusion Passport can help you communicate your needs to our staff. It covers sensory processing, your communication preferences, and topics that might make you feel anxious and overwhelmed, so that we can support you.   

Read about our Neuro-inclusion Passport