First Psychosis: What to do next

[Anonymous]

My 14-yr old DD had her first-episode psychosis last week. She had auditory hallucinations and was screaming intensely because she couldn't stop the voices. The children't ER didn't think it's necessary for her to have in-patient treatment because she wasn't harming herself or other. DD also has Autism and ADHD. She has an ABA therapist but no other support (I didn't see this coming at all). WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP? Would you please recommend psychiatrist, psychologist, program (or whatever else she needs)? TIA.

[Anonymous]

Sending strength to you. I do not know off hand but someone posted recently about a specific therapy / treatment / regime / center for "first episodes". It is worth searching on this forum specifically for that.

[Anonymous]

https://www.samhsa.gov/esmi-treatment-locator

She needs a good evaluation.
Maybe a medical work up.

[Anonymous]

Turning Point is in Fairfax

[Anonymous]

Neurologist, psychiatrist, nutritionist, allergist, audiologist, functional medicine doctor.

[Anonymous]

There are specific programs for first episode psychosis, like this one, if you are in Arlington: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/DHS/Behavioral-Healthcare-Home/Aspire-Coordinated-Specialty-Care-for-First-Episode-Psychosis-FEP

Turning Point is the program in Fairfax County, as mentioned above.

In Maryland, https://www.mprc.umaryland.edu/first-episode/

[Anonymous]

I second what another poster said, about another thread discussing how important it is to address a first psychosis episode quickly and better outcomes. However, I don’t know if that specifically just relates to schizophrenia. I know autism and depression can cause hallucinations so there may be a different protocol. My AuADHD had an extreme reaction to a lack of sleep and stimulants. Is that what could have happened here?

[Anonymous]

Read the story Brain on Fire about a journalist who suddenly experienced psychosis and memory loss. She had a rate autoimmune disorder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read the story Brain on Fire about a journalist who suddenly experienced psychosis and memory loss. She had a rate autoimmune disorder.

anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a brain inflammation - treatable

[Anonymous]

Sending you a virtual hug OP during a very difficult period.

I read recently that adolescents using cannabis can trigger psychosis. When DC is getting evaluated, I recommend drug screening. If it's positive, it could potentially be related to drug use which hopefully is a temporary situation vs. a chronic illness.

I agree with the others who suggest early evaluation and intervention.

[Anonymous]

Auditory hallucinations can be caused by a lot of stuff that is not a psychotic disorder like schizophrenia.

[Anonymous]

Are you local? Surprised you did not get any referrals from the Emergency department as part of the discharge paperwork to ensure you have adequate follow up planned. Call your pediatrician and ask for an appointment to develop a plan for next steps. Some pediatricians will call the other people to get the patient in more quickly for diagnosis and follow up care. Agree on drug testing at home. Higher potency CBD available these days that is related to psychosis noted in the news.

[Anonymous]

Keto diet ASAP. Not kidding or being flippant. Read Brain Energy by psychiatrist Chris Palmer. Much love to you, OP!

[Anonymous]

Fairfax Inova has a Merrifield unit that is for children’s mental health issues. I would take her there. Also call your Virginia county health department to get into the new psychosis program, every county/city in Virginia has one.

As a minor you have more control but it’s not complete.

Kids with autism have a three times greater risk of getting schizophrenia. That only gets you to a 3% chance, but it’s higher than the general population.

NAMI in Nova has some groups for parents, join in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keto diet ASAP. Not kidding or being flippant. Read Brain Energy by psychiatrist Chris Palmer. Much love to you, OP!

Person with bipolar here. I second this. I had a doctor put me on keto for weight loss and my moods improved a great deal and my anxiety completely disappeared. This was 8 years ago and my psychiatrist shrugged at the time. I didn’t—given that keto is an epilepsy diet and my mood stabilizer is an Anticonvulsant. The Palmer book has been very validating.

Sticking to keto is tough though.