One of the most alarming symptoms of a mental health disorder in a teenager or young adult is psychosis, or losing touch with reality. A young person who seemed fine is suddenly hearing voices or having disturbing, unrealistic thoughts. This often results in dangerous behavior that sends kids to the emergency room. When this happens it’s called a first psychotic episode, and it usually (but not always) signals the onset of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

A first psychotic episode may seem to come out of the blue, but there are early signs of developing psychosis that, if they’re caught, can help kids get support that can head off a full-blown crisis. And there is now specialized treatment after a first psychotic episode that enables patients with schizophrenia to get back to their lives and dramatically reduces the likelihood that they will have later episodes. This week we also offer articles on how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help young people with psychosis, what it looks like when children develop schizophrenia, and what to expect if you find yourself needing to take your child to an emergency room.

– Caroline Miller, Editorial Director | ✉