Personal Early Warning Signs — Clinician dialogue

Invite and obtain permission

Offer: "Would it be useful to explore personal early warning signs using an ordinary or fictional example? We can adapt it, observe, or stop." Ask what the person wants from the conversation.

Elicit before teaching

Ask: "How does this show up, if at all, in your own words?" Offer this idea tentatively: Changes can be noticed relative to an individual's usual pattern without self-diagnosis. Ask what fits and what does not.

Guide the task

With a clinician, list personally meaningful early changes, possible alternative explanations, and agreed response steps. Ask for permission before giving an example. Use this fictional illustration if useful: Casey notices less sleep and difficulty attending usual activities.

Reflect and check accuracy

Reflect only what was offered: "I heard you describe ___. What did I miss?" Ask: Which changes should prompt a planned conversation with your team? Avoid assigning motives or interpreting silence as agreement.

Respond to a mismatch

If the person rejects the frame, say: "Thank you for correcting it. What would be more useful?" Return to their language or choose a different approach.

Close with agency

Ask which observation, question, or support request the person wants to keep. Confirm a manageable ending and appropriate follow-up; do not turn a tentative possibility into a homework obligation.

Prompts for this resource

1. Readiness, permission, cultural context, and access needs to check:
2. Which changes should prompt a planned conversation with your team?
3. What would tell me to adapt, stop, or seek supervision?