Service : Community Rehabilitation Enhanced Support Team

Psychosis is a term used to describe when a person interprets or perceives reality differently from those around them. One might see or hear things that others do not, believe things that other people do not believe or have a confused thinking and speaking pattern. Psychosis can be a symptom of serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder. It is important to know that psychosis can be a common experience, and help is available should you need it.

Psychosis can be a one-off experience or may be a more constant or recurring experience, and therefore, it impacts people in different ways. It may be a frightening experience that can affect your behaviour, where you no longer trust others and want to stay at home because it feels safe.

It’s important to know that psychosis can be a common experience and help is available should you need it.

Psychosis is not a diagnosis by itself, but rather a set of unusual experiences that might be part of various mental health conditions, which have a big impact on your life. 

Psychosis is usually a symptom of one of these mental health diagnoses:

• Schizoaffective disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Postpartum psychosis
• Severe depression

Psychosis can be a recurring or constant experience and therefore can an impact on someone’s day-to-day functioning.

Some people with psychosis may experience ongoing difficulties because of their illness. Some of the ongoing challenges you might experience include finding it hard to perform daily tasks, spending time with friends or family, or enjoying the things you used to. If your symptoms of psychosis are impacting your ability to live your life, you might require additional support. This is rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation focuses on your strengths, skills and interests, how to better manage thoughts or emotions so you can start doing the things that matter most to you again.

Whether it’s getting back into education or work, enjoying hobbies, or feeling more confident, rehabilitation helps you take small steps toward a life that feels right for you - allowing you to take part in whatever is meaningful to you when your mental health makes it hard to do so.

A multidisciplinary team is a team made up of different professionals. Here are some of the professionals working in CREST and what they can help with:

• Occupational Therapists (OTs) assist a person to do or re-engage in activities which support their overall mental health and wellbeing. They help people take part in the activities that matter the most to them - whether that's daily tasks, hobbies, or self-care. They do this by finding ways to make these activities more achievable by using your current strengths and adapting the activity or environment. The act of purposefully “doing” something meaningful yourself can help to develop a greater sense of purpose, more confidence, provide an important role and feeling more connected to who you are.
• Rehabilitation Workers play a crucial role working under the guidance and direction from the OTs and MDT. They support you in reaching your goals, offer emotional support and encouragement to help you to overcome obstacles and work towards maintaining a positive outlook throughout your recovery journey.
• Pharmacists can support you by explaining how medications work and make sure they’re used safely. They offer medication support and education, monitor side effects and physical health changes to enhance treatment outcomes.
• Lived Experience Practitioners have a background in living with mental health challenges. They can connect with you as peers to give you a safe space to discuss your symptoms and experiences. They can also use their lived experience to give you practical tips to support you in your own personal recovery journey.
• The psychology team is made up of psychologists and therapists who can work with you individually, with your carer(s), or in a group setting to help you better understand your mental health. They can help you find coping strategies to tackle barriers and maintain your wellbeing.
• Psychiatrists are medically qualified doctors who diagnose and treat mental health conditions. They will typically work with your usual doctor(s) to make sure you're getting the best possible care. 

BRRS (Berkshire Rehabilitation and Review Services) includes CREST, the Placements Review Teams, Long-Term Inpatient Rehabilitation, and acts as the gatekeeper for all applications made to the Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). Referrals to BRRS services come either internally from within our Trust or externally via ICBs and Local Authorities.