What are the warning signs of psychosis?
Nov 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Baohua
Introduction
Before the onset of psychosis, there are often clear abnormal signs. These prodromal symptoms typically involve dimensions such as perception, emotion, thinking, behavior, and social functioning, including perceptual disturbances, emotional dysregulation, disorganized thinking, unusual behavior, and social withdrawal. The timing and severity of these early symptoms vary from person to person. Timely recognition and appropriate scientific intervention can provide strong support for subsequent improvement.
Before a psychiatric episode occurs, there are often clear warning signs. These prodromal symptoms typically involve dimensions such as perception, emotion, thinking, behavior, and social functioning, mainly including perceptual disturbances, emotional dysregulation, disorganized thinking, abnormal behavior, and social withdrawal. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Perceptual disturbances: Distorted perception of the surrounding environment may occur, such as hearing faint whispers or sounds that aren't there, seeing fleeting hallucinations, or having exaggerated reactions to stimuli like light or smell. For example, one might constantly feel others are talking about them, or perceive unexplained irritating odors—these abnormalities often trigger anxiety.
2. Emotional dysregulation: Severe and unpredictable mood swings may emerge, such as sudden outbursts of anger over minor issues or prolonged depression without apparent cause. There is loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, emotional responses become inappropriate to the context, and individuals may grow indifferent or numb, showing little reaction to others' joys or sorrows.
3. Disorganized thinking: Thought processes become fragmented, with frequent topic shifts during conversation and vague, unclear expression. Individuals may obsess over meaningless details, struggle to make decisions even on simple matters, experience明显 memory decline (forgetting recent events quickly), and have difficulty concentrating.
4. Abnormal behavior: Actions deviate from normal routines, including repetitive behaviors such as repeatedly opening and closing doors or excessively organizing items. Sleep patterns become disrupted—either insomnia or excessive sleeping. Personal hygiene is neglected, and some individuals may suddenly exhibit impulsive actions, such as smashing objects or wandering aimlessly.
5. Social withdrawal: Individuals actively avoid contact with family and friends, refuse to participate in social activities, and often stay alone at home. They may resist others' concern, gradually detach from their usual social circles, and show frequent tardiness or early departures at work or school, failing to complete assigned tasks.
The timing and severity of these prodromal symptoms vary from person to person. Early recognition and timely scientific intervention can provide strong support for subsequent improvement.
