An episode may not have settled, symptoms may be getting worse, or they may be returning after a period of stability. Contact their GP or mental-health team to ask for a review. You do not need to wait for aggression before asking for help.
- Contact their current team. Use the named contact or crisis plan. If they have been discharged, ask their GP about reassessment and referral back to specialist care. If you cannot reach a team, do not know their GP or help cannot safely wait, use urgent help where they live.
- Give specific examples. Note when the difficulties began, voices or distress, sleep, eating, washing and managing at home. Explain what has not improved as well as what is new or worse, and how this differs from their usual behaviour.
- Ask for a review and a next step. Ask who will assess the change, when, and what to do while waiting. If nobody responds, use following up with services.
If you are told there is no immediate danger, ask what treatment and support can be offered now.
They say they take medication. Why are they still unwell?
Worsening symptoms do not prove that someone has stopped taking medication. Ask for a review of how well treatment is working, side effects and other possible causes, including physical illness. Say what you know and what you do not know.
If they have stopped, ask what made it difficult and help them contact the prescriber. Do not change doses, restart treatment for them or hide medicine in food. Questions for a medicine review.
Washing, clothes or living alone are becoming difficult
Ask what help they would accept with washing, laundry, food or keeping their home manageable. Describe unmet needs to their team. In England, ask the council where they live for a care needs assessment; the assessment is free, but support may be charged for. Elsewhere in the UK, ask their local social-care service about the assessment route.
If neglect is putting their health at risk, seek urgent advice. For practical support, see daily tasks and living alone.
They do not want me speaking to their team
You can pass on factual concerns even when staff cannot discuss their care with you. Ask how your information will be handled; it may need to be discussed with them. If disclosure could put anyone at risk, say so before giving details. Confidentiality and being heard explains the limits. If they do not think they need help, use refusing help.
I’m afraid of saying the wrong thing or not visiting enough
You do not have to find perfect words or provide constant company to prevent every relapse. Use calm conversation guidance, ask about family intervention and share the support. Agree contact you can sustain, with room for ordinary company. Someone else’s visiting routine is not a requirement for you.
Last full source check: . Next source check due: . What these dates mean.
Sources and source-check history
The sources are linked beside each passage above.
Last full source check: 29 August 2026
This material was moved from the psychosis overview on 10 November 2026. Moving it is not a new source or clinical review. These additions were checked on 29 October 2026.
Independent information, not a medical or crisis service. This guidance has not been clinically reviewed. How we use sources.