Psychosis & Severe Mental Health Assessments — Free Screening & Support
Subjective Experiences of Psychosis Scale (SEPS), Mental Health Risk assessments — for severe presentations. Support-first framing. Free in the Mindtalk app.
Important support information
If you or someone you know is experiencing psychosis, severe mental illness symptoms, or a crisis, please contact clinical services or emergency support.
India crisis contacts:
- Emergency: 112 (nearest hospital / police / ambulance)
- iCall: 9152987821 (Mon-Sat, 8am-10pm, multiple languages)
- Vandrevala Foundation: 1860 2662 345 (24×7, multiple languages)
- NIMHANS Helpline: 080-46110007 (24×7)
- Cadabams: 24/7 access through the Mindtalk app or Cadabams hospitals directly
What this hub is (and is not)
This hub provides information about psychosis and severe mental health presentations, and about assessment instruments used in specialist clinical care.
It is NOT a self-diagnostic tool. Psychosis and severe mental illness require clinical care — not self-assessment from an online test. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, please book with a psychiatrist urgently.
What is psychosis
Psychosis is a mental state where a person experiences a break from shared reality — commonly through:
- Hallucinations — perceiving things others don't (hearing voices, seeing things, feeling sensations)
- Delusions — holding beliefs disconnected from external evidence (persecution, grandeur, reference, control)
- Disorganised thinking or behaviour — speech or actions that others can't follow
Psychosis can be a symptom of:
- Schizophrenia spectrum disorders
- Bipolar disorder with psychotic features
- Severe depression with psychotic features
- Substance-induced psychosis
- Medical conditions (rare but important — thyroid, temporal lobe issues, autoimmune)
Psychosis is medical and treatable.
Early warning signs
If you're worried about a family member (particularly adolescent or young adult):
- Social withdrawal
- Dropping grades or work performance
- Unusual perceptual experiences ("did you hear that?" without external source)
- Unusual thoughts or beliefs
- Disorganised speech
- Sleep disruption
- Decline in self-care
Early intervention substantially improves outcomes. Duration of untreated psychosis is one of the strongest predictors of long-term trajectory. Specialist psychiatric evaluation is the right first step — not waiting for "full breakdown."
What treatment looks like
Antipsychotic medication — First-line treatment for acute psychosis. Modern antipsychotics have improved side-effect profiles.
CBTp (Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis) — Evidence-based psychological treatment.
Family psychoeducation — Substantially improves outcomes; reduces relapse.
Rehabilitation and community reintegration — Vocational, social, and skills support.
Recovery-oriented care — Focus on meaning, identity, and quality of life alongside symptom management.
Full recovery is possible for many people. The older nihilistic view of severe mental illness is outdated.
Assessment instruments (specialist use)
- SEPS — Subjective Experiences of Psychosis Scale (in the Mindtalk app) — captures lived experience of psychotic symptoms.
- MHR — Mental Health Risk / Susceptibility Test (in the Mindtalk app) — general severe MH risk indicators.
These are specialist tools. General population screening is not the primary use.
Cadabams for severe mental illness
Cadabams has India's largest private mental health hospital network — inpatient and outpatient care for severe presentations. Services include:
- Early psychosis intervention
- Schizophrenia spectrum treatment
- Bipolar disorder specialist care
- Severe depression with psychotic features
- Family psychoeducation
- Medication management
- Rehabilitation
- Community reintegration
Contact through the Mindtalk app or Cadabams hospitals directly.
Related reading
- Mindtalk's psychiatrists with severe mental illness expertise
- Suicide Prevention & Safety hub
- Bipolar & Mood hub — for bipolar with psychotic features
- Depression hub — for severe depression
- Cadabams hospitals — inpatient and outpatient severe MH care
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is psychosis?
- Psychosis is a mental state where a person experiences a break from shared reality — commonly through hallucinations (perceiving things others don't), delusions (holding beliefs disconnected from external evidence), and disorganised thinking or behaviour. It can be a symptom of various conditions: schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, severe depression with psychotic features, substance-induced psychosis, or medical conditions. Psychosis is medical and treatable.
- What should I do if I''m experiencing psychotic symptoms?
- Contact a psychiatrist urgently. Don't try to self-assess or wait. Early psychosis intervention substantially improves long-term outcomes — the "duration of untreated psychosis" is one of the strongest predictors of trajectory. If you're in immediate crisis (thoughts of self-harm, harm to others, or severe disorganisation), contact emergency services (112 in India) or a crisis line. Cadabams has 24/7 access for acute presentations.
- What''s the SEPS (Subjective Experiences of Psychosis Scale)?
- The SEPS is a specialist-use assessment that captures the lived experience of psychotic symptoms — not a screening test for the general population. It's used in specialist clinical practice and research to understand how a person experiences their symptoms (which shapes recovery-oriented treatment). If your clinician has mentioned it, this is what it refers to.
- Is severe mental illness treatable?
- Yes — meaningfully so. Antipsychotic medication, family psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp), and social support all have strong evidence. Full recovery is possible for many. Duration of untreated psychosis matters — earlier intervention produces better outcomes. Cadabams has specialised care pathways for schizophrenia, bipolar with psychotic features, and severe depression.
- What about a family member showing early signs?
- Early warning signs of psychosis (in adolescents / young adults especially): social withdrawal, dropping grades / performance, unusual perceptual experiences, unusual thoughts or beliefs, disorganised speech, sleep disruption, decline in self-care. Early intervention services (specialist psychiatric evaluation, family support) substantially improve outcomes. Don't wait for "full breakdown" — early referral makes a real difference.
- What support does Cadabams offer for severe MI?
- Cadabams has India's largest private mental health hospital network — inpatient and outpatient care for schizophrenia spectrum, bipolar disorder, severe depression with psychotic features, and other severe presentations. Includes specialist teams for early psychosis, family psychoeducation, medication management, rehabilitation, and community reintegration. Contact through the Mindtalk app or directly.
- What if I''m not sure whether it''s psychosis or something else?
- Common — the boundary between severe anxiety, dissociation, substance-induced states, and psychosis can be unclear. Specialist psychiatric assessment can clarify. Don't self-diagnose. Book with a psychiatrist for structured evaluation.
Need a clinician's read on your results?
A high score is a signal, not a diagnosis. Mindtalk's psychiatrists and clinical psychologists can interpret your results and recommend next steps — same-day appointments available.