Questions to ask about psychosis and schizophrenia
These questions may help you discuss your condition or the treatments you have been offered with your healthcare team.
Finding out what's wrong
-
Why am I being offered an assessment?
-
What could have caused my symptoms?
-
Who can I contact if I have a crisis or if my symptoms get worse?
-
Are there any support organisations in my local area?
-
Can you provide any information for my family or carers?
First episode of psychosis
-
Where can I have treatment?
-
Can I choose to stay in hospital for treatment?
-
What happens if I decide not to have antipsychotic medication?
-
Can I write down something about what treatment I would like?
Treatments
-
How will the treatment help me? What effect will it have on my symptoms and everyday life? What sort of improvements might I expect?
-
How long will it take to have an effect?
-
Are there any risks associated with this treatment?
-
What are my options for treatments other than the recommended treatment?
-
Are there any leaflets about the treatment(s) that I can have?
-
How long will psychological treatments last?
-
How long will I have to take medication?
-
Might I have problems when I stop taking the medication?
-
Are there any serious side effects associated with this medication that are likely to affect me?
-
What should I do if I get any side effects? (For example, should I call my GP, or go to the accident and emergency department at a hospital?)
-
Are there any long-term effects of taking this medication?
Questions for family members and carers to ask
-
Can you give me some information about psychosis or schizophrenia, and the treatments for it?
-
Is there anything in particular that I can do to support my family member?
-
Can you give me any information about specialist support for families and carers, such as helplines?
-
Who can I contact for help during a crisis?
-
What help and support is available to me?
-
Can I have a carer's assessment? What does it involve?