Psychiatry - UNC School of Medicine
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What is PRIME?
PRIME stands for Prevention through Risk Identification, Management and Education. We are a group of providers dedicated to better understanding the subtle changes in the way a person may think, feel and perceive things, known as basic symptoms.
If you have difficulty viewing the PRIME video, click here to download it.
What are some examples of basic symptoms?
Unusual thinking: Something odd going on. Confusion about what is real or imaginary. Frequent déjà vu. The familiar feels strange, confusing, threatening, or has special meaning. Wondering if people can read minds, hear thoughts. More mystical/philosophical/religious ideas.
“I notice things in the environment that others don’t notice, and I begin to make connections between unrelated events such as particular colors or numbers keep coming up in many otherwise unrelated circumstances, and then I think that this has a special meaning to me.”
Suspiciousness: Notions of being watched, singled out, talked about, or plotted against, but is usually unsure if this is true.
“I suspect that others are saying bad things about me, or trying to harm or cheat me, but it is probably not true.”
Grandiose Ideas: Notions of being especially important, talented, gifted, powerful, superior to others.
“I sometimes think that I have the ability to make people tell me the truth, even when they don’t want to because I am so much smarter then them."
Perceptual Abnormalities: Seeming that the mind/eyes/ears are playing tricks or are misperceiving (for example mistaking a dog barking for someone calling out a name). Changes in perceptual sensitivity-heightened or dulled. Unexpected perceptual changes, noises, lights, shadows, geometrical designs, whispers, hearing name called. More sensitive to smells and tastes.
“I hear my name called out loud, or someone shouting something but no one is around, and nobody else heard it.”
Disorganized Thinking: Confused or muddled thinking. Using the wrong words, talking about things irrelevant to context of conversations, going off track. Difficulty paying attention, remembering simple things.
“I have trouble concentrating because every sound distracts me. When I read or listen to someone talking, I have trouble understanding what is meant.”
Social Anhedonia or Withdrawal: Not as interested in spending time or talking with friends or family. Prefer to be alone. Less interested in everyday activities/hobbies.
“I find I don’t like being around people very much anymore, I feel uncomfortable. Doing things with people doesn’t interest me. I’d rather be alone.”