How to Recognize Psychosis in Adults: Key Signs and Ways to Help
July 30, 2025
Psychosis is an episode of disconnection from reality, in which someone typically experiences hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking and behaviors.1 Yet psychosis itself is not a diagnosis or disorder. Rather, it’s a syndrome that’s often linked to other psychological, neurological, or physiological health issues.1,2
Psychotic episodes may be more common than people expect. In fact, according to the Yale School of Medicine, three percent of people will experience psychosis over their lifetime. Many of these people will do so only once and may continue with their lives without related impairment or further episodes. For half, psychosis might recur, but doesn’t overly disturb normal life or overall functioning. Yet, for a quarter of these people, psychosis will eventually need long-term treatment.3
Psychotic episodes can be very frightening and disturbing, both for the person experiencing them and those around them. This is especially true for first-time occurrences, when people are typically unaware of what they are witnessing or experiencing.
For this reason, it may be invaluable to be able to recognize psychosis symptoms in adults as well as know how to intervene in psychosis.4 This may especially be the case if you or your loved ones have a family history of psychotic disorders or suffer from any psychosis-related medical conditions.
If you’re concerned about possible signs of psychosis in yourself or someone you care about, seeking guidance from a mental health professional is advised. This page can also help, as it provides all the necessary information on psychosis and mental health treatment, including:
How to understand psychosis in adults- The differences between psychosis vs mental breakdown
- The causes of psychosis in adults
- Early signs of psychosis
- Psychosis symptoms in adults
- How to intervene in psychosis (dos & don’ts)
- Psychosis diagnosis and care
- Ways of coping with psychosis in family members
Understanding Psychosis in Adults
Psychosis is not a mental health condition by itself, which means it can’t be defined in the clear, straightforward way that formal psychiatric diagnoses typically are. Instead, the features of psychotic episodes – such as duration, severity, and frequency – often vary based on the underlying cause.
For instance, for brief psychotic disorder, episodes are sudden and short, typically lasting around a few days.5 This condition is quite rare, but could occur after severe stress or trauma. In contrast, psychotic episodes related to schizophrenia might last for several months.
Furthermore, psychosis can be both a one-time experience or a chronic syndrome. Recurring episodes are generally related to serious mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.2
Psychosis vs Mental Breakdown
Recognizing psychosis in adults early can be key to providing early treatment and ensuring the best possible outcomes for someone’s health. Yet, before diving into the details around psychosis diagnosis and care, it’s important to pinpoint what psychosis is not.
A psychotic episode can be commonly mistaken for or referred to as a “mental breakdown.” However, the two terms should be distinguished, as they refer to very different mental processes and require varying types of support.
Mental breakdown (also known as a “nervous breakdown”) is not a clinically diagnosed condition. Rather, it’s a term used by the general population to refer to the state of being unable to cope with daily life, due to prolonged stress or overwhelm.
Mental breakdown occurs when someone has had “too much.” As a result, they typically experience high anxiety, low moods, helplessness, and overall withdrawal from their usual activities, social roles, and daily responsibilities.6
The key difference to look for when trying to differentiate a psychotic episode from a mental breakdown is that psychosis is defined by detachment from reality. During a nervous breakdown, on the contrary, someone doesn’t show any signs of delusion.
Being able to tell this difference is essential. Psychosis typically requires medical assessment and attention, while a mental breakdown usually improves with psychological support, a balanced and healthy lifestyle, rest, and stress reduction.
Causes of Psychosis in Adults
Psychotic episodes can occur in relation to a number of psychological, neurological, and medical conditions. For instance, psychosis is typically recognized as a central factor in the following mental health disorders:7
- Schizophrenia: A chronic brain disorder marked by recurring psychosis, as well as by cognitive and functional impairment
- Schizoaffective disorder: A combination of mood disorder symptoms and psychosis
- Bipolar disorder with psychotic features: Switching between episodes of mania or depression
- Brief psychotic disorder: A short-term psychotic episode often triggered by stress or trauma
- Psychotic depression: Severe depression with psychotic features
- Delusional disorder: Recurring and persistent delusions without other significant symptoms
Other health concerns associated with the possibility of psychosis are:
- Neurological disorders such as brain injury, epilepsy, or tumors
- Dementia
- Autoimmune conditions
- Infections that affect the brain
Apart from medical conditions, psychosis is associated with additional factors, among which include:
- Genetic vulnerability or a family history of psychotic illness
- Exposure to severe trauma or chronic stress
- Significant sleep deprivation
Early Signs of Psychosis
Psychosis is known to show certain symptoms even before the active episode occurs. However, these early signs are often not taken into consideration or are mistakenly attributed to other causes.
Research has repeatedly shown that early detection and treatment of psychosis has a significant effect on someone’s health and recovery outcomes.8,9 This highlights the importance of watching out for early signs of psychosis, such as:9
Depression, anxiety, or mood disturbances- Social withdrawal from family and friends, as well as at school or work
- Cognitive and perceptual disruptions, such as unusual thoughts, difficulty concentrating, or sensing things that aren’t there
- Sleep problems and reduced motivation
- Subtle speech or communication difficulties
Psychosis Symptoms in Adults
Once someone enters a psychotic episode, early symptoms become more pronounced and hard to ignore. Psychosis is recognized through the following signs:7
Hallucinations, such as seeing, hearing, or sensing things that aren’t there- Delusions and false beliefs that seem detached from reality
- Disorganized thinking or speech, resulting in illogical communication
- Unusual or catatonic motor behavior, such as agitation, repetitive movements, or immobility
- Difficulties with daily functioning, including self-care, work, or social relationships
Additionally, the person going through the episode is not likely to be aware that they are experiencing psychosis, as their cognitive and emotional states are significantly affected.7
How to Intervene in Psychosis
Psychosis symptoms and episodes should be taken seriously and not overlooked. If someone is experiencing psychosis, consulting a mental health professional is important. They look into the causes of the episode and consider potential treatment options based on underlying factors.
Nevertheless, you don’t need to be a health professional to effectively help someone undergoing a psychotic episode. If you find yourself in a situation where someone is going through psychosis, it can be valuable to know how to act, including what to do and also what not to do.
The following psychotic episodes intervention tips have been put together to equip you with the basic knowledge of psychosis crisis management.10
How to Intervene in Psychosis – What to Do:
- Remain calm and supportive: Use simple and grounding language. Ensure that the person knows they are safe, and you are with them
- Prioritize safety: Remove harmful objects and, if possible, move to a less stimulating and distracting environment
- Listen with intention: Show them that you’re paying attention and reflect on what they are saying. This can help them feel understood and acknowledged
- Read the room: Adapt your approach to the situation. Psychosis can look different from person to person, so make sure you are sensitive to the context. For example, based on the person at hand, you might avoid physical closeness or eye contact
- Stay respectful: Let the person set the pace. For instance, allow them to decide what and how much they want to share, and remain non-judgmental
How to Intervene in Psychosis – What Not to Do:
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- Avoid stigmatizing or degrading language, such as “crazy,” “psycho,” and so on
- Refrain from physical contact without permission.
- Don’t confront the validity of hallucinations or delusions, but also do not play along with them (for example, by pretending that they are true)
- Steer clear of criticizing or making fun of irrational thoughts or behaviors.
- Try not to get angry or frustrated – a psychotic episode is not the person’s fault
- Remember not to take it personally if the person is rude, disrespectful, or even aggressive
- Be mindful of not showing panic or nervousness in your body language
- Don’t dismiss the symptoms
Psychosis and Mental Health Treatment
While psychosis can be disorienting and frightening, it is treatable. The course of psychosis and mental health treatment usually includes:11
Antipsychotic medications to manage acute symptoms (such as hallucinations)- Therapy for psychosis treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for Psychosis (CBTp)
- Psychoeducation for the individual and their loved ones
- Social support programs that promote recovery and social integration
- Inpatient treatment programs in mental health centers, when required
While recovery from psychosis and psychotic disorders can look different from person to person, treatment can be effective and lead to significant improvement. This is especially the case if initiated as soon as the early signs of psychosis show up.11
Coping with Psychosis in Family Members
If someone in your family or close circle has been through or is dealing with psychosis, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or dysregulated. People who suffer from psychosis often display a range of negative emotions, from sadness and helplessness to anger and frustration.
In such situations, it’s essential to remember that you also need to take care of yourself. This might include seeking professional advice, finding support groups, and maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle that promotes nervous system regulation and stress reduction. Paying attention to your physical and mental health is key to preventing long-term negative effects on your well-being.
And finally, remember that you don’t have to do this alone. Mission Connection is here to meet your needs with care.
Mission Connection: Guiding People Through Psychosis With Care
Witnessing a loved one go through psychosis can be frightening and overwhelming. But it’s essential to recognize that you shouldn’t go through this experience alone. Seeking support enables the person to recover and reduces the long-term impact of psychosis on their life.
Mission Connection is here to help. Whether you’d like to learn more about psychosis and mental health treatment or explore real-life psychotic episodes intervention tips in depth, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our specialists can guide you towards the best and most suitable steps, tailored to your specific situation.
References
- Gaebel, W., & Zielasek, J. (2015). Focus on psychosis. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 17(1), 9-18. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.1/wgaebel
- Arciniegas, D. B. (2015). Psychosis. CONTINUUM: lifelong learning in neurology, 21(3), 715-736. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.CON.0000466662.89908.e7
- Yale School of Medicine. (n.d.). Psychosis. Yale Psychiatry STEP Program. https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/step/psychosis/
- Jorm, A. F., Kitchener, B. A., & Mugford, S. K. (2005). Experiences in applying skills learned in a Mental Health First Aid training course: A qualitative study of participants’ stories. BMC Psychiatry, 5(43). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-5-43
- Stephen, A., & Lui, F. (2023). Brief psychotic disorder. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539912/
- Huizen, J. (2024, November 28). Nervous breakdown: Signs, symptoms, and treatment. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321018
- American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Publishing.
- Lieberman, J. A., & Fenton, W. S. (2000). Delayed detection of psychosis: Causes, consequences, and effect on public health. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157(11), 1727–1730. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.157.11.1727
- Larson, M. K., Walker, E. F., & Compton, M. T. (2010). Early signs, diagnosis and therapeutics of the prodromal phase of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 10(8), 1347–1359. https://doi.org/10.1586/ern.10.93
- Mental Health First Aid Australia. (2023). Mental health first aid guidelines for psychosis. https://www.mhfa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MHFA_Psychosis-Guidelines-1.pdf
- Penn, D. L., Waldheter, E. J., Perkins, D. O., Mueser, K. T., & Lieberman, J. A. (2005). Psychosocial treatment for first-episode psychosis: a research update. American Journal of Psychiatry, 162(12), 2220-2232. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.162.12.2220.
