Treatment and support for psychosis

For many people, there's no quick and simple treatment for psychosis. But with the right support, it's possible to manage the symptoms of psychosis and recover.

You may still experience symptoms during and after treatment. But treatment can help you learn ways of coping so that your experiences are less distressing. And don't interfere with your life as much.

With the support of my psychiatrist, I have also stopped my medication and am now receiving Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which is really helping.

How do doctors decide my treatment?

Before you start any treatment, your mental health professionals should discuss all your options with you and listen to what you want.

They should look at all aspects of your life. This includes your environment, culture and ethnicity. And any possible physical causes of your psychosis.

This is so they can try to offer you treatment that takes this into account and meets your needs. This is sometimes referred to as being culturally competent.

Your treatment may depend on whether you're diagnosed with a specific mental health problem. It may be that psychosis is one of several symptoms you're experiencing, which will influence what treatment you're offered.

An advocate can help you get the treatment you need. Our pages on advocacy have more information.

Early intervention (EI) teams

Early intervention (EI) teams work with you during your first experience of psychosis.

You can usually be referred to an EI team by your GP. Or you can sometimes self-refer. If you're referred to the EI team, you should be seen and assessed as soon as possible.

They usually include a group of people who can help you in different ways. For example, depending on the service, an EI team might provide:

• Information to help you understand what you're experiencing
• Talking therapies and access to medication
• Regular physical health checks and monitoring
• The chance to develop a crisis plan
• A care coordinator who can support you with any health and social care needs
• Support with employment, training or education
• Support for friends, family and carers

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that early intervention services should be open to people of all ages. But some only offer services to people under a certain age, for example 65.

Talking therapies

Talking therapies can help you understand your experiences. They can also help you to develop ways to deal with them.

The type of talking therapy your doctor is likely to offer you is called cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (sometimes called CBTp). This is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) specifically for people experiencing psychosis.

Talking therapies are more effective in treating psychosis when combined with antipsychotic medication.

Antipsychotic medication

Your doctor is likely to offer you antipsychotic medication as a way of managing symptoms.

You may also be offered other drugs (for example antidepressants or mood stabilisers) if you experience symptoms with your mood. Some people might also be offered medication to help reduce any side effects.

Doctors recommend that you take antipsychotics for between 1 and 2 years to help stop your experiences of psychosis coming back. Your healthcare professional can support you with coming off medication when you're ready to.

Smoking or stopping smoking can change the effects of antipsychotic drugs. If you're prescribed antipsychotics and are planning to give up smoking or reduce the amount you smoke, you should talk to a healthcare professional. They can support you to do this safely. You may need to change the dose of some medications.

It took many tries to get the right medication for me.

Family intervention

Experiencing psychosis can sometimes impact those closest to you.

Family intervention focuses on supporting you together with your family members, friends, partners or carers. You'll be supported to talk to each other about what helps, solve problems and plan for a crisis.

Arts therapies

Arts therapies can help you express how you're feeling in different ways and at a pace that suits you. They can help you learn new ways of relating to other people.

Some people find it satisfying to be able to visually show their experience of psychosis.

Community care

If you experience psychosis a lot or it lasts a long time, you may be referred to community care services.

Community care is used to describe the various available to help you manage your physical and mental health problems in the community. They can also support you to stay well in the future after an episode of psychosis. This might include:

• A community mental health team (CMHT)
• Nursing or social work support
• Home help
• Day centres
• Supported accommodation

Community care can also include crisis services and early intervention teams.

Visit our pages on support services to find out more about community care.

Treatment in hospital

If you become very distressed during an episode of psychosis, you may need to be cared for in hospital.

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on psychosis and schizophrenia state that if you need to stay in hospital after an episode of psychosis, the hospital should be right for your needs. For example, it should be suitable for your age and gender. They also say that your family and friends should be supported.

Our pages on treatment in hospital have more information.

A stay in intensive care saved my life, followed by three months on a psychiatric ward.

Published: January 2025

Next review planned: January 2028

References and bibliography available on request.

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