Episode 3 of the UAMS Odyssey Clinic’s Navigating First Episode Psychosis series, offers a compassionate guide to understanding and processing a first-episode psychosis diagnosis, making it an invaluable resource for patients and their loved ones. Featuring insights from experts like Dr. Brian Kirkpatrick, Hannah Mainard, LCSW, and Dr. Andrea McMahon, the episode explores what first episodes of psychosis look like—such as hallucinations or delusions—and outlines best practices for clinicians to inform patients with empathy and clarity. With an inside look at the Odyssey Clinic’s daily commitment to patient care, this video demystifies the diagnostic process, providing hope and direction for those beginning their mental health journey.
This episode also equips medical providers and families with practical tools, detailing the referral process and next steps after a diagnosis, while offering patients strategies to mentally process and move toward treatment. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention, a core mission of the Odyssey Clinic, to improve outcomes for those experiencing psychosis within two years of symptom onset. By blending expert advice with a glimpse into the clinic’s supportive environment, this episode empowers viewers to navigate this challenging moment with confidence, reinforcing the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute’s dedication to education and stigma reduction through the Navigating First Episode Psychosis series.