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What is Psychosis?
Psychosis is a condition that affects the way the brain processes information. It is a temporary loss of contact with reality in which the individual displays obvious changes in personality, sometimes seeing and hearing things that aren’t real and experiencing delusions which are fixed false beliefs. Symptoms of psychosis can be temporary and can be treated effectively with antipsychotic medications and therapy. Some conditions such as Schizophrenia, in which psychotic symptoms occur, can be long-term.
To determine your type of psychosis and address related health problems, you need to see a medical professional specialising in mental health, specifically one on Psychotic Disorders to get a diagnosis and create a proper treatment plan for the medical condition.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of psychosis may vary depending on age and the type of psychosis. Some of the earliest indications may present themselves in developmental problems as early as childhood. Nevertheless, here are the general symptoms of psychosis:
- Changes in personality such as social withdrawal and isolation
- Changes in emotions such as uncharacteristic anxiety, anger or moodiness
- Disordered thinking – slow, muddled, disrupted thoughts which may be expressed through speech
- Disordered behaviour – unusual, inappropriate, extreme or risky actions
- Delusions – fixed false beliefs that can’t be changed by evidence; for instance, the person can be convinced that “they are God” or that “someone is trying to kill them” despite there being no real reason for this belief
- Hallucinations – hearing voices or otherwise sensing things that aren’t real; this can include seeing, smelling, tasting and hearing things that others can’t sense
What causes Psychosis?
- Hereditary – genetic predisposition; sometimes runs in the family
- Biochemical – shortage or excess of certain chemicals in the brain
- Lifestyle – stress, lack of sleep, substance abuse such as alcohol, marijuana and LSD
- Trauma – experiences such as death, war or sexual assault. Brain injuries as a result of trauma can also trigger psychosis
- Psychological – a symptom of mental health challenges such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression or Alzheimer’s Disease
How is Psychosis treated?
Psychosis is often associated with delusions and hallucinations and people who experience this mental health condition may develop symptoms at an early age which should already be taken as signs for young people to undergo assessment for early detection and proper treatment to help them deal with this condition long-term.
Treatment with antipsychotics is the most common therapy for people with psychosis or psychotic condition. However, the medication does not treat or cure the underlying condition that triggered the psychosis. Additional holistic therapy should be sought to address the underlying triggers. This may require a lifestyle change, for instance, stopping the use of recreational drugs, trauma therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy or another form of therapy and/or treatment tailored to the individual. The first step is a diagnosis by a GP or Psychiatrist, along with the prescription of antipsychotic medication to stop the psychosis and connect the person back to reality. An appropriate treatment plan should be discussed with the treating clinician.
How do I find out more?
It is important to ask your doctor about any concerns you have. SANE Australia also produces a range of easy-to-read publications and multimedia resources on mental health challenges.
