Psychosis is a mental health condition where a person loses touch with reality, often involving hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking. Early detection is crucial for effective intervention. The first signs typically emerge gradually in the prodromal phase, before full-blown psychosis develops. These subtle changes can last weeks to years and affect teens or young adults most commonly.

Key early warning signs include:

1. Social withdrawal: Isolating from friends, family, or activities once enjoyed. The person may seem distant or uninterested in relationships.
2. Mood changes: Unusual anxiety, depression, irritability, or sudden mood swings without clear cause.
3. Cognitive difficulties: Trouble concentrating, remembering things, or following conversations. Thoughts may feel "foggy" or slowed.
4. Perceptual changes: Mild distortions like heightened sensitivity to lights/sounds, or brief, fleeting unusual perceptions (e.g., hearing whispers that others don’t).
5. Suspiciousness or paranoia: Growing distrust of others, feeling watched, or misinterpreting neutral events as threats.
6. Decline in functioning: Neglecting hygiene, school/work performance dropping, or losing motivation for daily tasks.
7. Sleep/appetite disturbances: Insomnia, excessive sleeping, or significant changes in eating habits.

These signs don’t always mean psychosis stress, trauma, substance use, or medical issues can mimic them. However, if several persist for over two weeks, especially with a family history of mental illness, seek professional help immediately. Early intervention (e.g., therapy, medication) can prevent progression to severe episodes like schizophrenia.

When to act: Consult a psychiatrist or call a crisis line (e.g., 988 in the US) if signs escalate to hallucinations (hearing voices), delusions (fixed false beliefs), or risky behavior. Supportive, non-judgmental communication helps encourage treatment.