Resources.Finding the right resources for teens with signs of early psychosis can be confusing, challenging, and frustrating for families and providers.
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Common signs of mental health difficulties in teens
- changes in mood, energy, eating and/or sleeping patterns
- strange or bothersome thoughts
- difficulties with school, friends, family, or pulling away from others
Sometimes when teens have mental health difficulties (such as depression, anxiety, or trauma) or high levels of stress, they may also start to notice other changes that could be signs of psychosis.
Potential signs of early psychosis
- Confusion about what is real
- Unusual thoughts and beliefs
- Feeling suspicious
- Having difficulty trusting others
- Hearing or seeing things that other people do not
- Jumbled thoughts
- Difficulty communicating (e.g., rambling or going off topic)
- Making unrealistic plans or goals
- Believing you have unique talents or extreme gifts
What is psychosis?
If unusual experiences are occurring regularly, become really intense, and start to cause a lot of problems, doctors might call this psychosis. When doctors talk about psychosis, they refer to two main types:
“Psychosis” simply means that someone has instances of being disconnected from reality. People often misuse the word “psychotic” to mean crazy, out of control, aggressive or other negative things that it does not mean.
Psychosis IS…
Even though psychosis can feel scary, doctors and mental health professionals can help teens to manage psychosis.
Listen to Dr. Thompson's podcast episode on psychosis and Stride Clinic services here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nss1xj9M1dC6QgSs0c3jg
- Hallucinations: This word refers to false sensory perceptions that can be experienced through any of the five senses – sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. Examples include when someone hears or sees something that isn’t there.
- Delusions: This word refers to odd beliefs that may be extreme or do not make sense to others. Examples include believing in strange phenomena, being confused about what is real, or being suspicious or paranoid of others.
“Psychosis” simply means that someone has instances of being disconnected from reality. People often misuse the word “psychotic” to mean crazy, out of control, aggressive or other negative things that it does not mean.
Psychosis IS…
- misunderstood by media and the public
- often a reaction to stress
- manageable with help!
Even though psychosis can feel scary, doctors and mental health professionals can help teens to manage psychosis.
Listen to Dr. Thompson's podcast episode on psychosis and Stride Clinic services here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nss1xj9M1dC6QgSs0c3jg
Resources for families
Bradley Hospital's Stride Clinic
(for children, adolescents, and young adults)
If you are in or near Rhode Island and you think that you or someone you know might be experiencing signs of psychosis, you can contact Bradley Hospital's Stride Clinic to see if an evaluation could be helpful. We can also help families get connected to treatment services in the state.
Webpage: www.lifespan.org/centers-services/bradley-outpatient-services/stride-clinic
You can contact the Stride Clinic at [email protected] or call us at 401-444-4567
Resources to learn more about mental health
Mental health fact sheets: https://www.nami.org/learn-more/fact-sheet-library
What is mental illness? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness
'Mindcast: Healthy Mind, Healthy Child' Podcast: https://www.lifespan.org/locations/bradley-hospital/mindcast-healthy-mind-healthy-child-podcast [Mindcast can also be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart.com]
Helpful information about psychosis
Psychosis facts: http://www.easacommunity.org/index.php
Understanding psychosis booklet: https://namimn.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/188/2018/03/namiunderstandingpsychosisbooklet2016.pdf
A short video about psychosis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRGGxK3OpNc
Video stories about psychosis: https://marylandeip.com/eip-resources#!Voices-of-Recovery
Tips for caregivers, families, and school staff
General Information: https://marylandeip.com/eip-resources#!For-Youth-and-Families
Tips for family communication: easacommunity.org/tips-for-communication-and-family-living.php
Tips for school supports: www.nasmhpd.org/sites/default/files/Tip_Sheet_Engaging_with_Schools.pdf
A sibling's guide to psychosis: www.psychosis101.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/A-siblings-Guide-to-Psychosis.pdf
Psychosis treatment for older teens and young adults in Rhode Island
If you or someone you know is 16-25 years old and needs treatment for psychosis symptoms, please contact one of the Healthy Transitions programs in RI.
Healthy Transitions Flyer
https://bhddh.ri.gov/mental-health/individual-and-family-information/healthy-transitions-and-behavioral-health-guide
Parent training resources
Strategies for managing your child's mental health: https://parentcoach.care/
In case of an emergency, REACH OUT FOR HELP
Local RI resources:
(for children, adolescents, and young adults)
If you are in or near Rhode Island and you think that you or someone you know might be experiencing signs of psychosis, you can contact Bradley Hospital's Stride Clinic to see if an evaluation could be helpful. We can also help families get connected to treatment services in the state.
Webpage: www.lifespan.org/centers-services/bradley-outpatient-services/stride-clinic
You can contact the Stride Clinic at [email protected] or call us at 401-444-4567
Resources to learn more about mental health
Mental health fact sheets: https://www.nami.org/learn-more/fact-sheet-library
What is mental illness? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness
'Mindcast: Healthy Mind, Healthy Child' Podcast: https://www.lifespan.org/locations/bradley-hospital/mindcast-healthy-mind-healthy-child-podcast [Mindcast can also be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart.com]
Helpful information about psychosis
Psychosis facts: http://www.easacommunity.org/index.php
Understanding psychosis booklet: https://namimn.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/188/2018/03/namiunderstandingpsychosisbooklet2016.pdf
A short video about psychosis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRGGxK3OpNc
Video stories about psychosis: https://marylandeip.com/eip-resources#!Voices-of-Recovery
Tips for caregivers, families, and school staff
General Information: https://marylandeip.com/eip-resources#!For-Youth-and-Families
Tips for family communication: easacommunity.org/tips-for-communication-and-family-living.php
Tips for school supports: www.nasmhpd.org/sites/default/files/Tip_Sheet_Engaging_with_Schools.pdf
A sibling's guide to psychosis: www.psychosis101.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/A-siblings-Guide-to-Psychosis.pdf
Psychosis treatment for older teens and young adults in Rhode Island
If you or someone you know is 16-25 years old and needs treatment for psychosis symptoms, please contact one of the Healthy Transitions programs in RI.
Healthy Transitions Flyer
https://bhddh.ri.gov/mental-health/individual-and-family-information/healthy-transitions-and-behavioral-health-guide
Parent training resources
Strategies for managing your child's mental health: https://parentcoach.care/
In case of an emergency, REACH OUT FOR HELP
Local RI resources:
- Bradley Access at 401-432-1000
- Kids’ Link RI at 855-543-5465
- Hasbro Children’s Hospital at 401-444-4779
- Call 911 or go to emergency room
- Call a crisis hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
- Or Text “Home” 741741
- Suicide & Crisis Lifeline- call or text 988
SPARK Lab
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island