Feeling Weird
Feeling strange and feeling like you’re ‘losing touch with reality’ can be common experiences if you’re feeling very stressed, upset or confused. These experiences are not necessarily signs of mental illness, but reactions to distressing experiences and emotions.
Experiences which are more extreme could be signs of mental illness. The term ‘psychotic’ is used to describe a range of symptoms. Psychotic illness is actually more common than you think and can occur for a number of reasons such as an increase in stress, a change in your circumstances or drug use. It is more common to experience a psychotic episode for the first time in your late teens to early thirties.
The early signs might be subtle. You feel that something isn’t right but can’t work out what. You start losing sleep and your appetite. You can’t concentrate and feel suspicious or paranoid. Later on the signs might feel more worrying. Your behaviour is odd, you have beliefs that other people don’t understand, or you see, hear, smell or feel things that others can’t.
People do recover from an episode of psychosis, but it is important to get help early.
Early signs:
- Feeling anxious, depressed, tense, angry, irritable or suspicious.
- Having mood swings, no energy or motivation, problems sleeping, difficulty remembering things.
- Feeling that things seem changed or different somehow. Your thoughts seem too fast or too slow.
Later signs:
- You become paranoid, confused or behave oddly.
- You have hallucinations (seeing, hearing smelling or feelings things that other people cannot).You feel that you you’re being watched, your thoughts are being read or that you have special powers.
The early signs could be a reaction to a stressful event such as exams or a relationship break up, but they could be the early signs that you’re developing psychosis. It is important to get these early signs checked out as the sooner you get help, the quicker you can get on with your life.
Find out more:
Getting help:
For help and support available in Manchester, click here.
Many people will experience their first ‘psychotic episode’ between the ages of 14 and 35.
If you notice that someone:
- Is experiencing persistent changes in mood and behaviour;
- Is becoming isolated and not getting on with people;
- Has strange thoughts, ideas or odd behaviour;
- Is using drugs or alcohol more;
then these could be just some of the signs that they are experiencing difficulties. It is vital to act early.
The Manchester Early Intervention Service offers assessment and treatment to people in Manchester, who are between the ages of ages of 14 and 35 and have had a first episode of psychosis, or are deemed to be at risk of developing psychosis. They can be contacted on phone 0161 277 6830. 'Psychosis is treatable. Recovery is expected'.