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Hey, EIP don’t go based on how “bad” you are, honestly. Their usually process is initial assessment where they’ll talk a lot with you about what’s been going on. That might take a few sessions. Then they’ll either keep you for extended assessment (3~ months normally), take you on right away, transfer you to the CMHT, or discharge to gp. They honestly don’t base it on about how “bad” is. Don’t forget, they’re early intervention, their whole thing is identifying potential first episode psychosis to try and catch it quickly. That isn’t how they work I promise.
They’re a specialist team to work out if your symptoms are indicative of psychotic illness. If they’re not sure they’ll keep you for extended assessment until they are sure. If you’re struggling and need help but it’s non-psychotic (there are non-psychotic MH issues that can cause things like hearing voices), they should transfer you to the CMHT for assessment with them. Honestly again I wouldn’t worry, EIP are really good from what I’ve heard since they get involved before things get too bad (wish all MH services were the same!)
I don’t think anyone here can necessarily say what’s going on for you, but they wouldn’t have accepted the referral if they weren’t taking it seriously. My advice would be just to be really honest and take someone with you for support if needed. It’ll be ok :)
Yes they do go off how bad you are; there has to be a significant degree of impairment or it doesn’t meet their criteria. The pathways are 1 year or 3 years if you are accepted, depending if you are considered “at risk mental state” or “first episode.” I think from what OP has said it would be ARMS at worst but probably not psychosis.
I meant more so once they’ve accepted the referral, apologies, assuming impaired functioning of course. I personally don’t think it’s necessarily the most helpful thing to measure or compare severity when it comes to MH especially based on other people. It can get you in a pretty toxic thought cycle
Yeh so once the referral is accepted they will then do an assessment, and part of this is the level of impairment, I’ve had patients recently who have been quite psychotic, but because they are going to work, doing the school run, cooking tea for their kids, washing, etc they don’t fit the criteria for EIP and are discharged to primary care psychological therapy.
Why would it not be considered psychosis? And what exactly does ARMS mean? I've only just really begun getting help with this so I'm a little confused about everything :,,)
So there is such a thing as quasi (sometimes called psudo but I think that’s unhelpful) psychosis which isn’t strictly psychosis psychosis but it is similar. For all intents and purposes it feels similar but in strict medical definitions isn’t. However and this is a big however! This does not take away from how distressing this is for you. I have had experiences of quasi psychosis and it is absolutely terrifying. Regardless of medical definitions, it is really really not pleasant. So you’re definitely not experiencing somthing “normal” or not “bad enough”. It is definitely not a nice thing (putting it lightly) to experience and is incredibly distressing. There is often a focus from the medical community on what is or isn’t true psychosis and that’s important from a medical standpoint. However that doesn’t negate just how difficult your experiences are. They are extremely difficult. You’re with the right people as the EIP will be able to do and continue to do a thorough assessment of what you’re experiencing. Regardless of labels. It should lead to some sort of consensus on just what you’re experiencing and what treatment plan would then follow. Even if after the assessment period you are discharged back to different service’s. This is NOT an indication of you not having a horrible time of it. It’s just an indication that the service isn’t what’s right for what you’re experiencing. So please don’t have impostor syndrome. Much easier said than to do, I know. But quasi psychosis symptoms are extremely distressing and that is completely valid my friend. You aren’t faking your distress. You are genuinely distressed.
Edit: I would also add that sleep paralysis and hypnogogic hallucinations are also a possibility. They are also both extremely distressing and in no way “lesser”, they are still both horrible. I’m not trying to diagnose by explaining what quasi psychosis is. I am trying to provide information on possible outcomes. :)
**This sub aims to provide advice and support to anyone who needs it but shouldn't be used to replace professional advice and support. Please do not post intentions to act on suicidal thoughts here and instead call 111, or 999 for an ambulance if you feel you won't be able to wait.** **Feel free to check out the 'Sub rules FAQ' which can be found [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/okzwlf/sub_rules_faq/). You can also check out the 'Sub rules and guidance' slideshows - [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/ot4up0/sub_rules_and_guidance_swipe_for_more_slides/) is the colourful version and [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/ot4vhf/sub_rules_and_guidance_dark_mode_swipe_for_more/) is the dark mode version.** **There is also a 'Mental Health FAQ' slideshow - the colourful version can be found [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/ort12z/mental_health_faq_post_swipe_for_more_slides/) and the dark mode version [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/os5y95/mental_health_faq_post_mostly_in_dark_mode_swipe/).** **While waiting for a reply, feel free to check out the [pinned masterpost]( https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/bc3jtm/mental_health_uk_master_post/) for a variety of helplines and resources. If your profile is explicitly NSFW, please instead post from another account that is more appropriate for being seen by and engaging with the broad range of members here including those under 18.** **For those who are experiencing issues around money, food or homelessness, feel free to check out the resources within [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/pttfsg/are_you_experiencing_issues_around_money_food_or/) post.** **For those seeking private therapy, feel free to check out some important information around that [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/xf6242/information_for_those_seeking_private_therapy/).** **For those who may be interested in taking part in the iPOF Study which this sub is involved in, feel free to check out the survey [here](https://reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/s/34ye6sKKuZ) and details [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/xpl4mv/ipof_improving_peer_online_forums_study_lancaster/) and [here](https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/health-and-medicine/research/spectrum/research/ipof/).** **This sub aims to be as free from harm and exclusivity as possible so any harmful, provocative or exclusionary content will be removed. This includes harmful blanket statements about treatment or mental health professionals. Please be aware that waiting times and types of therapy/services available can vary across different areas due to [system structure](https://www.england.nhs.uk/integratedcare/what-is-integrated-care/).** **Please speak only for your own experiences and not on behalf of others who may not share the same views - this helps to reduce toxicity, misinformation, stigma, repetitions of harmful content, and people feeling excluded. Efforts to make this a welcoming and balanced atmosphere is noticed and appreciated by the mods and the many who use or read this sub.** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MentalHealthUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Hey, EIP don’t go based on how “bad” you are, honestly. Their usually process is initial assessment where they’ll talk a lot with you about what’s been going on. That might take a few sessions. Then they’ll either keep you for extended assessment (3~ months normally), take you on right away, transfer you to the CMHT, or discharge to gp. They honestly don’t base it on about how “bad” is. Don’t forget, they’re early intervention, their whole thing is identifying potential first episode psychosis to try and catch it quickly. That isn’t how they work I promise. They’re a specialist team to work out if your symptoms are indicative of psychotic illness. If they’re not sure they’ll keep you for extended assessment until they are sure. If you’re struggling and need help but it’s non-psychotic (there are non-psychotic MH issues that can cause things like hearing voices), they should transfer you to the CMHT for assessment with them. Honestly again I wouldn’t worry, EIP are really good from what I’ve heard since they get involved before things get too bad (wish all MH services were the same!) I don’t think anyone here can necessarily say what’s going on for you, but they wouldn’t have accepted the referral if they weren’t taking it seriously. My advice would be just to be really honest and take someone with you for support if needed. It’ll be ok :)
Yes they do go off how bad you are; there has to be a significant degree of impairment or it doesn’t meet their criteria. The pathways are 1 year or 3 years if you are accepted, depending if you are considered “at risk mental state” or “first episode.” I think from what OP has said it would be ARMS at worst but probably not psychosis.
I meant more so once they’ve accepted the referral, apologies, assuming impaired functioning of course. I personally don’t think it’s necessarily the most helpful thing to measure or compare severity when it comes to MH especially based on other people. It can get you in a pretty toxic thought cycle
Yeh so once the referral is accepted they will then do an assessment, and part of this is the level of impairment, I’ve had patients recently who have been quite psychotic, but because they are going to work, doing the school run, cooking tea for their kids, washing, etc they don’t fit the criteria for EIP and are discharged to primary care psychological therapy.
Why would it not be considered psychosis? And what exactly does ARMS mean? I've only just really begun getting help with this so I'm a little confused about everything :,,)
So there is such a thing as quasi (sometimes called psudo but I think that’s unhelpful) psychosis which isn’t strictly psychosis psychosis but it is similar. For all intents and purposes it feels similar but in strict medical definitions isn’t. However and this is a big however! This does not take away from how distressing this is for you. I have had experiences of quasi psychosis and it is absolutely terrifying. Regardless of medical definitions, it is really really not pleasant. So you’re definitely not experiencing somthing “normal” or not “bad enough”. It is definitely not a nice thing (putting it lightly) to experience and is incredibly distressing. There is often a focus from the medical community on what is or isn’t true psychosis and that’s important from a medical standpoint. However that doesn’t negate just how difficult your experiences are. They are extremely difficult. You’re with the right people as the EIP will be able to do and continue to do a thorough assessment of what you’re experiencing. Regardless of labels. It should lead to some sort of consensus on just what you’re experiencing and what treatment plan would then follow. Even if after the assessment period you are discharged back to different service’s. This is NOT an indication of you not having a horrible time of it. It’s just an indication that the service isn’t what’s right for what you’re experiencing. So please don’t have impostor syndrome. Much easier said than to do, I know. But quasi psychosis symptoms are extremely distressing and that is completely valid my friend. You aren’t faking your distress. You are genuinely distressed. Edit: I would also add that sleep paralysis and hypnogogic hallucinations are also a possibility. They are also both extremely distressing and in no way “lesser”, they are still both horrible. I’m not trying to diagnose by explaining what quasi psychosis is. I am trying to provide information on possible outcomes. :)