The prodrome is the initial stage of psychosis. Early symptoms may be vague and not distinguishable from your normal behaviour. Changes may be slow and you, and people who know you, may not notice these changes straight away.

Over time these changes will become more pronounced. You may describe your thoughts and feelings becoming different or you may feel that these feelings or thoughts become more problematic for you.

Some common problems encountered during the prodrome are:

• mood swings
• confusion, irritability, anxiety or feeling depressed
• loss of concentration
• struggling to cope with work or study
• reckless or disinhibited behaviour
• preferring to spend time alone or becoming withdrawn
• loss of interest in activities
• perceiving or interpreting things oddly

Many of these issues, if taken in isolation, are normal human behaviours. However, when a person’s behaviour begins to change, and more of these problems are noticeable, or become problematic you should seek help from your GP. Talking therapy and learning to manage stress levels may prevent the development of a psychosis episode.