BPS report

On 27th November 2014, British Psychological Society (BPS) published a report titled: Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia: Why people sometimes hear voices, believe things that others find strange, or appear out of touch with reality, and what can help. This was written by a group of well-established clinical psychologists, along with individuals who have experienced psychosis themselves.

This report provides an overview of the current knowledge within psychosis and schizophrenia, and has potential to change the way we understand psychosis.

The report encourages a new look into psychosis such as:

• ‘Psychotic’ experiences - hearing voices, believing things that others find strange, or appearing out of touch with reality – are understandable in the same ways as ‘normal’ experiences, or other psychological problems e.g. anxiety. A normal reaction to a difficult life situation 
• Services users should not see themselves as ‘ill’ - some services users regard their voice hearing experiences as a personality trait or a part of them that they would not want to be without 
• No one can tell for sure what has caused a person’s problems, but trying to work it out with a mental health professional is a way to deal with this
• Investing more resources into prevention services e.g. reducing discrimination, treating inequality, and preventing child maltreatment

This report has potential to change the way we all think about, and offer treatment for, psychosis and schizophrenia, and even mental health in general.

Click the link below to download and read the report: 

http://www.bps.org.uk/networks-and-communities/member-microsite/division-clinical-psychology/understanding-psychosis-and-schizophrenia 

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