TIDES (Therapeutic Interventions for Distressing Unusual Experiences Service) & ARMS (At Risk Mental State)

We are Norfolk & Waveney’s At-Risk Mental State Service, and we work with young people and adults aged 14 to 35 years old who are experiencing distressing unusual experiences where there is concern this may be a prodromal phase of psychosis. Our aim is to help prevent or delay the development of a first episode of psychosis for those at risk. The support we provide looks at all aspects of someone’s life including their mental wellbeing, employment, social functioning, and their overall quality of life.

Eligibility

Individuals who may be eligible for treatment from an ARMS service will have experienced one or more of the following:

An extended period of attenuated or transient psychotic symptoms (unusual experiences which are less intense or occur less frequently than the threshold for first-episode psychosis) or
Brief, limited psychotic symptoms that resolve within 1 week without intervention or
Strong family history of psychotic symptoms (e.g. first degree relative) or
Other risk factors (e.g. schizotypal personality)
They must also be:
Aged 14-35 and
Experiencing a significant decline in functioning from their usual level within the past 12 months or longstanding low-functioning and
Are distressed by their unusual experiences and
Are seeking help in relation to their unusual experiences and
Have consented to the referral.

People that are not eligible

The individual has been in receipt of antipsychotic medication prescribed for their unusual experiences, which would constitute a therapeutic dose.
The individual has received treatment through EIP services, or has previously experienced an episode of psychosis.
The individual does not meet minimum clinical cut-off scores on a validated assessment measure (e.g. CAARMS) as assessed by the ARMS/EI teams .
The individual’s psychotic symptoms are not thought to represent a prodromal psychotic experience but are better understood in the context of a different primary presentation (e.g. complex trauma, personality disorder, ASD, substance misuse).
The individual is experiencing psychotic symptoms associated with an organic or neurological disorder, which can be more effectively treated by another service.
Psychotic experiences are noted only in the context of falling asleep (hypnogogic) or waking up (hypnopompic).
The individual is observed to be feigning or exaggerating psychotic symptoms in an attempt to access EIS