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On this page you will
find a couple of information sheets that have been created by the First Episode
Psychosis team. One information sheet provides some information
about mental illness and psychosis.
The other sheet gives some advice and suggestions for
family members.
ABOUT MENTAL
ILLNESS
What is Mental
Illness?
All of us, at some
points in our lives will experience some psychological and emotional
problems. At times, the person may benefit from some professional
help in dealing with these difficulties. “Mental illness” is one way
of thinking about these difficulties which views these problems as
an 'illness' that effects us psychologically and emotionally. One in
five New Zealanders will experience a mental illness at some point
in their lives. It is important to remember that each person’s
experience of mental illness is different, and that different people
may think of their experiences in different ways (that is, not
everyone thinks of their problems in terms of ‘mental illness’).
What is Psychosis?
Psychosis is a word that
is used to describe a collection of experiences that reflect a
change in how the person thinks and/or feels about the world. In
general terms these experiences usually reflect some change in the
person’s views of reality. When a person is experiencing psychosis
this is called a psychotic episode.
What are the Symptoms
of Psychosis?
-
Disturbances in
thinking (also known as ‘thought disorder’)
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Racing thoughts or
slowed thoughts
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Confused
thinking/jumbled thoughts
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Difficulties in
communicating
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Unusual beliefs
(usually not shared by others – sometimes referred
to as a ‘delusion’)
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Sometimes people
develop a belief in something that they would not normally
believe
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These beliefs may be
held for unusual reasons
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Sometimes these
beliefs may be the person’s way of making sense of unusual
experiences, such as hallucinations.
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Hallucinations
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Hearing, smelling,
tasting, seeing or feeling things that others do not experience
(e.g. the person may hear voices speaking to them which no one
else can hear)
In addition to the
above, the person may have changed feelings and/or changes in
behaviour.
What is First-Episode
Psychosis?
First-episode psychosis
refers to the first time someone experiences psychotic symptoms or a
psychotic episode (of course, this does not mean that the person
will necessarily have a second episode later). The symptoms can be
highly disturbing and completely unfamiliar, and may be both
confusing and distressing.
What Causes Psychosis?
A range of factors are
associated with the onset of psychosis. No single cause has been
identified. Stressful experiences, substance use (including street
drugs such as cannabis) and family history of mental illness are
believed to contribute to the onset of psychosis. Street drugs can
also increase the likelihood of a relapse of psychosis and so delay
recovery. Psychosis can also be associated with conditions such as
‘schizophrenia’ and ‘manic depression’, and with certain medical
conditions.
These information sheets were produced by:
St. Lukes First-Episode Psychosis Team
615 New North Road
Morningside Auckland
Phone 09 845 0940
Please feel free to ask any team member if you have further
questions about psychosis.
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FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
“The lives of people
with serious mental illness are inextricably involved with the lives
of those they love and care for, and the lives of those who love and
care about them...and who need, therefore, to be part of a healing
and maintenance programme”
Blueprint for Mental Health Service in New Zealand
There are approximately
65,000 people using Mental Health Services in New Zealand, and these
people are never ill in isolation. Their families are almost always
involved. It can be very distressing to realise that someone close
to you is experiencing psychosis. This information leaflet has been
put together by the St Lukes First Episode Psychosis (FEP) team to
provide some information to families and carers of clients of our
service.
At St Lukes, the FEP team runs a Family Support Group which is one
option for families and carers to receive help and support. The
group meets monthly, with the aim being to assist families, partners
and friends of clients to understand what is happening and to find
out how to be involved in the assessment, treatment and recovery
process. In addition to this group, members of the FEP team,
Manawanui (Maori Mental Health Services) and Lotofale (Pacific
Island Mental Health Services) are available to offer support to
families. Interpreters are also available.
How can I help during the
treatment?
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Think of yourself
and the staff as having the same goal: to help the person with
psychosis work towards recovery. We like to think of our work as
being based on a partnership between the client, his or her
family/carers and the treating team.
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Ask for regular
meetings with the key people in the team and prepare a list of
questions to take with you.
Feel free to write the answers down
at the meeting.
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If you don’t
understand what is being discussed, say so, and ask for a
clearer explanation. Ask where you can obtain additional
information, for example, are there specific educational
sessions available?
Managing Distress
Sometimes the experience
of mental illness can divide a family, just at the time when mutual
support is vital. It is very important that everyone understands and
agrees on a common approach, so that options can be discussed and
responsibility shared. It helps for everyone to understand mental
illness and its effects as early as possible.
No one is to blame. It could be helpful to request
increased support during the period of illness, as there will be
extra pressure on the family
Some guidelines for
the carer(s):
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Learn as much as
possible, as soon as possible, about psychosis.
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Contact a Self-Help
Group for families affected by psychosis.
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Get to know the
stressors that could have contributed to the person becoming
unwell.
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Be aware of the
needs of other family members.
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Maintain and
establish friendships, activities and hobbies, particularly
those that take you outside the home.
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Take good care of
yourself.
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Take time out to
manage the family's distress and anxiety.
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Provide reassurance;
you can do this by defining what is real for you.
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Encourage family
members to utilise simple relaxation procedures during periods
of high anxiety. Try to keep conflict at a minimum.
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Contact staff to
discuss alternative strategies and medication options, or where
you have any questions or concerns.
REMEMBER TO: Go
slow, Keep cool, Give'em space, Set limits, Reduce expectations,
Keep it simple.
Some key organisations
you may wish to contact for further information are:
SFNZ – Supporting
Families in Mental illness; web site:
www.sfnat.org.nz
Mental Health Foundation
of New Zealand. Website:
www.mentalhealth.org.nz
or you can contact them at Tel: 09 300 7010. Fax: 09 300
7020. PO Box 10051, Dominion Road, Auckland. Physical address:
81 New North Rd, Eden Terrace, Auckland.
These information sheets were produced by:
St. Lukes First-Episode Psychosis Team
615 New North Road
Morningside Auckland
Phone 09 845 0940
Please feel free to ask any team member if you have further
questions about psychosis.
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Ministry of Health
