The West Kent & Medway Early Intervention in Psychosis Service

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Building confidence after a first episode of psychosis It is quite common that someone will lose confidence following a first episode of psychosis. Understandably some people will feel uncertain about the future and worry that the psychotic symptoms will return. Similarly, some people may avoid socialising or going out and will find it difficult to motivate themselves to go to work or school. With time and support from family, friends and professionals, feelings of anxiety and hopelessness will disappear. However, if these feelings become more intense it is important that the person seeks professional help where they can and learn some coping techniques to cope with these feelings. There are a number of things that may help in increasing confidence. For example, talking to someone you trust about your feelings if you can. It helps to set goals but realistic goals, don’t try to run before you can walk! Try to do things that mix pleasure with a sense of achievement (i.e. don’t just watch television – tidy up, go to the gym, and then watch television). It often takes a while to feel yourself again, so give it time. Some personal experiences From a parent’s point of view the knowledge that your child has a mental illness is one of the most frightening experiences my husband and I have experienced. So different from any physical illness that once diagnosed you know how to deal with, and roughly how long that illness would last. Adam experienced his first episode of psychosis 6 months ago and we were lucky enough to be referred to the Beacon and the EIS team. The help and support we have received as a family has been a life saver. There is always someone at the end of a phone, the regular visits from EIS, however many times a week is necessary, and weekly family meetings have been invaluable. We started attending the meetings of the Carers’ Support Group in Dover in July. We have found this to be a great way to share experiences with other parents and to talk freely with people who really understand, as well as gaining knowledge of the illness from visiting speakers, covering a variety of areas that were really interesting. We would just like to say, therefore, a really special thanks to all the staff at EIS and Rethink Carers’ Support Group for showing us there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. Susie and Jim 16
Hi, my name is Elizabeth. At the age of 14 I experienced an acute psychotic illness. One day I went to school and everything was different. I thought my parents had committed suicide and that my teacher was my father. I was suffering with paranoia and severe anxiety; my behaviour was completely out of character. When some teachers noticed this, they contacted my parents and they came to school and took me to our GP. I had very confused thoughts and the GP referred me straight away to the hospital where I had many tests including an MRI scan, which looked at my brain to see if there was something wrong, but there wasn’t. After 6 days in the William Harvey hospital, I was transferred to Ticehurst, a mental health hospital. Although it took many months for me to recover, I am now well, happy and back at school sitting mock exams in preparation for GCSE’s. My daughter is 20 years old and has been receiving help and support from EIS for 15 months. She has been one of the lucky ones and has not been hospitalized at all. I strongly believe the support and care of the EIS that has been given has made it not only possible for her to get professional help and support at home, but also the support given to me, as a parent, has been a big part of my daughters recovery. I knew nothing about psychosis before my daughter’s illness, I just knew I needed help. The EIS team gave me support, strength and reassurance and information. It didn’t matter if my question was one that others had asked loads of times before. We mattered, they cared, they answered and helped me and my daughter. The support given at the early stages was brilliant, they came to my house most days this would give me some time out, do shopping, have a bath, go for a walk. I didn’t know these people but they do their jobs so well and the reassurance they give a carer is worth all the money they can get. I’ve seen my daughter go from this stranger that did the weirdest of things and saw dead people and heard voices to someone who understands what’s happened. Someone who is happy to talk to the EIS about her illness, problems and difficulties she is facing. For me the relationships built up over this 15 months have given me the strength to support my daughter and to continue my career. Yes it has been hard, but not being on your own with this thing called psychosis really makes it easier on all the family. Dawn 17
Page 1 and 2: Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care
Page 3 and 4: What is psychosis ‘Psychosis’ i
Page 5 and 6: Symptoms may include… Delusions -
Page 7 and 8: The role of your care co-ordinator
Page 9 and 10: often related to the stage of the p
Page 11 and 12: Illegal street drugs Cannabis, ecst
Page 13 and 14: A relapse prevention plan A relapse
Page 15: Triggers Think about your past expe
Page 19 and 20: Comments on this leaflet If you wis

The West Kent & Medway Early Intervention in Psychosis Service

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?