Psychosis and Psychotic Disorders: an Honest Look
During Mental Health Awareness month, we want to bring to light aspects of mental health with which people may not be familiar. For instance, previously, we discussed some myths and facts about Bipolar Disorder.
I want to discuss a common symptom amongst various mental health disorders; Psychosis, a condition defined by a break with reality, having disordered and bizarre thoughts.
What is Psychosis?
Two main symptoms punctuate psychosis:
Hallucinations: Seeing, hearing, or even feeling things that aren’t there, such as hearing voices that aren’t there.
Delusions: false beliefs that you can not convince a person is untrue or incorrect. For example, a person with a Psychotic Disorder may believe that they are in some way divine or godlike; that doesn’t mean that because a person has a strange belief or two that they are psychotic, everyone has quirks, after all.
Other signs of psychosis include:
Withdrawing from social activity
Confused speech and difficulty communicating
Unusual Inability to concentrate
A sudden decline in personal hygiene
What Causes Psychosis?
There isn’t a singular cause of Psychosis; at the same time, it can be a symptom of a disorder like Schizophrenia or even Bipolar Disorder. Drug use, trauma, brain injury, and even something as simple as sleep deprivation can cause people to experience Psychosis.
How is Psychosis Treated?
There is a class of drugs designated as antipsychotics designed to correct the imbalances in brain chemistry that can cause psychotic symptoms as with any psychoactive drug; however, the particular medication and dosage that is most effective for any person may be different. A treatment plan may also include psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other forms of treatment. Early treatment is vital to a person recovering.
Warning signs:
A sudden drop in grades or job performance
Difficulty telling reality from fantasy
Suspiciousness and new unease dealing with others
How can I provide support?
Suppose you know a person beginning to experience a psychotic episode. In that case, it is vital to get them medical help as soon as possible to make a full recovery if treatment is quickly administered during their Psychotic Episode. This episode typically occurs in a person's late teens or early twenties.
We should recognize that roughly three percent of people in the U.S. experience psychotic symptoms, and over 20 million people worldwide experience Schizophrenia, a major Psychotic Disorder. Understanding the signs, symptoms, and treatments for this family of disorders is vital in removing the stigma and helping those experiencing them heal.
Additional Reading:
https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Psychosis
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/raise/what-is-psychosis