Warning signs of psychotic disorders in adolescents
The main warning signs for detecting a psychotic disorder are based on observing the behavior of boys and girls.
Thus, we can highlight the following points as the main warning signs:
- Similar symptoms, such as heightened distrust, hypervigilance, or sudden mood swings , should prompt us to consider the possibility of seeking professional help. It is especially important to pay attention if these characteristics appear suddenly, with or without an apparent trigger.
- Communication and language differences: the person has difficulty expressing their ideas, or when speaking they fail to achieve a communicative goal. They tend to go around in circles on a specific point and struggle to have meaningful conversations, using unusual expressions, etc.
- Strange behavior: exhibits different behaviors than usual, such as spending long hours locked in a room, refusal to attend school, sudden academic decline, sudden change in hobbies, change of friend group without apparent cause, etc.
- Sleep changes: Sleep disturbances are common in psychotic disorders. Sometimes, individuals may even stay awake all night, or for several nights, or experience changes in their sleep-wake cycle, sleeping during the day and being awake at night.
- Neglect of physical appearance: difficulty showering, does not change clothes, etc.
- Consumption of toxic substances and other behaviors: the unexpected consumption of toxic substances, or other behaviors that do not take into account the consequences such as spending large amounts of money, leaving for days without giving news, etc., are behaviors that should give us a warning sign.
What do we do when psychotic symptoms are present?
If you experience psychotic symptoms, it is very important to seek help from a mental health service as soon as possible, where they can properly assess the presence of these symptoms and offer the best treatment for each case.
Likewise, in the presence of the aforementioned warning signs, it is important to be able to assess with a health professional whether these signs may indicate the presence of a psychotic disorder and make appropriate referrals to specialized services.
As we have seen, early detection in this type of disorder can make all the difference in the course of the disease, so we must ask for information as soon as possible.
What can we do at home? Actions that can help the person suffering
- Seek professional help and follow their advice: psychotic disorders are complex mental illnesses, and early detection and intervention can make all the difference in the course of the illness. Therefore, we must encourage young people to seek professional help when we notice any warning signs.
- A calm and trusting family atmosphere: it's important to create a safe and trusting space at home where children and teenagers feel comfortable talking about their problems. Sometimes, these conversations can be difficult for both parents and children.
- Let's observe, but not overwhelm: adolescence is characterized by a certain rejection, or a distancing, from the relationship teenagers have had with their parents up to that point. Offering help in a non-invasive way—that is, being willing to listen with an open mind and without judgment—can likely facilitate communication between teenagers and their parents.
This is an original article from the Health School of the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona. For more information, please consult the 12th FAROS Report "A look at the mental health of adolescents - Keys to understanding and supporting them."
Featuring
