Psychology Facts

▼ Psychosis ▼

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》Psychosis is when people lose some contact with reality. This might involve seeing or hearing things that other people cannot see or hear (hallucinations) and believing things that are not actually true (delusions). It may also involve confused (disordered) thinking and speaking.

》Psychotic disorders, like schizophrenia, involve psychosis that usually affects you for the first time in the late teen years or early adulthood. Young people are especially likely to get it, but doctors don't know why.

》The 3 main symptoms of psychosis are:

hallucinations – where a person hears, sees and, in some cases, feels, smells or tastes things that do not exist outside their mind but can feel very real to the person affected by them; a common hallucination is hearing voices

delusions – where a person has strong beliefs that are not shared by others; a common delusion is someone believing there's a conspiracy to harm them

disordered thinking and speaking - a person's thoughts and ideas come very quickly, which can make their speech fast and confusing

》Hallucinations are sensory experiences that occur within the absence of an actual stimulus. For example, a person having an auditory hallucination may hear their mother yelling at them when their mother isn't around.

》A delusion is a false belief or impression that is firmly held even though it's contradicted by reality and what is commonly considered true. There are delusions of paranoia, grandiose delusions, and somatic delusions.

》Warning signs before psychosis:

A drop in grades or job performance

Trouble thinking clearly or concentrating

Suspiciousness or unease around others

Lack of self-care or hygiene

Delusions

Spending more time alone than usual

Disorganized speech, such as switching topics erratically

Stronger emotions than situations call for

No emotions at all

》Signs of early psychosis:

Hear, see, or taste things others don't

Hang on to unusual beliefs or thoughts no matter what others say

Pull away from family and friends

Stop taking care of yourself

Not be able to think clearly or pay attention

》Each case of psychosis is different, and the exact cause isn't always clear. There are certain illnesses that cause psychosis, however. Triggers can include drug use, lack of sleep, and other environmental factors. Certain situations can lead to specific types of psychosis developing.

》Illnesses that can cause psychosis

brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease,

Huntington's disease, and some chromosomal disorders

brain tumors or cysts

》Symptoms of a psychotic episode:

Hallucination:

Auditory hallucinations: Hearing voices when no one is around

Tactile hallucinations: Strange sensations or feelings you can't explain

Visual hallucinations: You see people or things that aren't there, or you think the shape of things looks wrong

Delusions:
Beliefs that aren't in line with your culture and that don't make sense to others, like:

Outside forces are in control of your feelings and actions

Small events or comments have huge meaning

You have special powers, are on a special mission, or actually are a god

》People are more likely to develop a psychotic disorder if they have a close family member, such as a parent or sibling, who has a psychotic disorder.

》Children born with the genetic mutation known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome are at risk for developing a psychotic disorder, especially schizophrenia.

It's sometimes possible to identify the cause of psychosis as a specific mental health condition, such as:

schizophrenia – a condition that causes a range of psychological symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions

bipolar disorder – a mental health condition that affects mood; a person with bipolar disorder can have episodes of low mood (depression) and highs or elated mood (mania)

severe depression – some people with depression also have symptoms of psychosis when they're very depressed

Psychosis can also be triggered by:
a traumatic experience

stress

drug misuse

alcohol misuse

side effects of prescribed medicine

a physical condition, such as a brain tumour or dementia

head injury

childbirth

Treatment for psychosis can depend on the cause, but usually involves a combination of:

antipsychotic medicine – which can help relieve the symptoms of psychosis

talking therapies – the 1-to-1 talking therapy cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and family interventions (a form of therapy that may involve partners, family members and close friends) can be helpful

social support – support with social needs, such as education, employment or accommodation

Some people are recommended to take antipsychotics on a long-term basis (and possibly for the rest of their lives). Other people may be able to gradually reduce their dosage and then stop taking them altogether if there is a marked improvement in symptoms.

Do not stop suddenly taking any prescribed medicines as this could trigger a relapse of your symptoms.
If a person's psychotic episodes are severe, they may need to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.