What ' s the average age at these meetups ? <| sep |> Sean May looks like an obese Turk . <| sep |> Seeing as how he acted like a limp wristed sissie , yes . <| sep |> I run into him a lot , but I don ' t think him and I are friends , exactly . More like acquaintances that run into each other a lot . It would be funny if we were , though . <| sep |> It ' s my pleasure I did not think anyone would comment . So the first meeting is to gather information about the person but also explain what our services can offer people who meet the inclusion criteria if what the person is reporting is a first episode or not . Does that answer your first question adequately ? In terms of risk factors for a episode there are many things that can contribute to someone having their first episode . I think the main three are genetic vulnerability close relative with poor mental health environment factors such as stress and drug use . Having said that people could be meeting all those criteria in their life and never have a first episode . To be honest we don ' t really know why . Experiencing hallucinations is actually very common and does not mean you are going mad . For example hearing you name being call when there is no one in the room is an auditory hallucination but that alone is not an indicator that someone is going to have a total break from reality . There are services set up that specials in helping people with at risk symptoms of psychosis but are not severe enough symptoms to be classed as a first episode . However the line between a when some has actually had a first episode or not can shall we say get a little murky . So if someone experiences a brief limited intermittent psychotic symptoms BLIP that is a total break from reality lasting no more than seven days and all symptoms subside after that period without antipsychitics is not classed as a first episode , but an at high risk of a first episode . To actually decide whether that was a first episode or not is very hard as people can actually be sectioned whilst experiencing a BLIP . Let me know if that answers that question or if you would like me to expand on it . Medication is recommended but to start low and slowly build up with a view of stopping them in the future . However it varies from person to person on when they should start taking it . I think medication is a necessary evil because often without it you can ' t provide the other treatments and support . Sorry for such a long reply , I did try to keep it short .