Learning that a family member or friend is experiencing psychosis can be frightening and overwhelming. Here is some information to help you feel more informed and empowered to seek help. 

What is psychosis?
STEP Family Tip Sheets: ​
Other Helpful Info:​

Connecticut Early Psychosis Learning Health Network Family Presentations:
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How can I help?
Family, partners, and friends are very important in the process of recovery. You can provide love, stability, and reassurance as well as help with practical issues.
Support for Families/Caregivers
You may also need support yourself to sort out your feelings and adjust to all that has happened. Connecticut Early Psychosis Learning Health Network's family workshops, along with these support agencies can help:
Watch this honest video of a parent’s journey when his own son was diagnosed with psychosis
Common Stages of Adjustment for Family Members.
It is distressing to learn that someone close to you is experiencing psychosis. You may experience a variety of emotions, including shock, confusion, bewilderment, and guilt. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and you should not feel disloyal or uncaring for any of the thoughts or feelings you are having. It is common for families and friends to go through the following stages: As you realize something serious is happening to your loved one, you may feel worried or frightened.
  • As the problem worsens, you may realize you can’t manage it yourself and seek help.
  • You’ll probably have lots of questions, all of which are normal: What caused this? How do you treat it? What can I do to help? What should we tell people? Should we have sought help sooner? Could it happen again?
  • As the person begins to recover, you will be relieved. You may understand the illness more and start to feel hopeful about the future.​​
Meeting your loved one’s needs for independence and care is a balancing act. As he or she starts to reintegrate back into daily life, you may find yourself nervously watching for signs of relapse, and you may be try to shield your loved one from anything that might cause a relapse.

With a return to normalcy, you may speak with your loved one about psychosis, how it affected everyone involved, and how to help each other in the future.

Families, partners and friends need time to understand and accept what has happened. Don’t keep things bottled up. Talking with family members, friends, or professionals is very helpful.

Tips for Communicating with Someone Who is Experiencing Psychosis.
When a person experiences an acute psychotic episode, it can be frightening, confusing, and distressing to both the individual and his or her family and friends.  Here are some things you can do to make their experience easier.

1. If they are having difficulty concentrating:
  • Keep your statements short
  • Give one message at a time
  • Don’t give too many choices at once

2. If they are expressing delusions and are 100% convinced:
  • Don’t argue, say “You’re crazy,” or “ That’s not happening”
  • Accept this is their reality. Be true to yourself. You might say, “I can’t see them but I know you can.”

3. If they are expressing delusions AND have previously been open to discussing them:
  • You might gently remind them, “These thoughts come up sometimes” or “ You’ve learned not to give those thoughts too much attention.”
  • They might check out their interpretations with someone they trust. You can ask respectfully, “How might that be/happen?”

4. If the person’s behavior is frightening you:
  • Give the person space. Move gently to quieter, more open surroundings. Don’t crowd or rush the person.
  • Try to speak and act calmly. Ask what might help.
  • Try to stay calm and communicate simply and clearly.
  • If there are warning signs of a relapse, reassure them that you are seeking help for them.

If you feel you need support from first responders due to an acute safety issue, please make sure to do the following:
  • When calling 911, it is helpful to say to the operator that your call is regarding a mental health crisis and you require assistance. If your family member/friend has a diagnosis, let the 911 operator know what it is.  Advocating for your family member/friend’s treatment and care can help ensure that their illness is taken into account by the police and other emergency responders during their interactions with them.
  • If appropriate, request a mobile crisis team to come to your home instead of police.  When speaking with the 911 operator and/or police, provide as much information about your family member/friend’s mental illness, prior contact with the law, and any concerns you have about the situation.
  • Be prepared to repeat this information once police or other emergency responders arrive.
  • If you must vacate the premises to call the police, stay close enough so that you can identify yourself and speak with officers when they arrive.


​​FAQS For Navigating Mental Health Crises in the Community​​
 
Check out a previous STEP Family Orientation Workshop (28:33)

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The STEP Learning Collaborative (formerly the Connecticut Early Psychosis Learning Health Network) is a workforce development and community education initiative hosted by the STEP Program. Our mission is to transform access, care quality, and outcomes for individuals and families impacted by recent onset psychosis throughout the state of Connecticut. 
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