Psychosis is a mental health condition that causes a person to lose touch with reality. It is characterized by symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.
Symptoms
The symptoms of psychosis can vary widely from person to person, but they may include:
- Delusions: Delusions are false beliefs that a person holds onto despite evidence to the contrary. Delusions can be paranoid, such as believing that others are out to harm them, or grandiose, such as believing that they have special powers or abilities.
- Hallucinations: Hallucinations are sensory experiences that occur in the absence of any external stimuli. People with psychosis may hear voices or see things that are not really there.
- Disorganized thinking: People with psychosis may have difficulty organizing their thoughts and may have trouble making sense of their surroundings.
- Changes in behavior: Psychosis can cause changes in behavior, such as becoming more withdrawn or aggressive.
What causes Psychosis?
The exact cause of psychosis is not fully understood, but it is thought to be the result of a combination of genetic, environmental, and brain chemistry factors.
Some possible causes of psychosis include:
- Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that can cause psychosis. It is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.
- Substance abuse: The use of certain drugs, such as amphetamines and LSD, can cause psychosis. Alcohol abuse and withdrawal can also cause psychosis.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as brain tumors and multiple sclerosis, can cause psychosis.
- Trauma: Traumatic events, such as abuse or a head injury, can trigger psychosis.
Warning signs before psychosis
There are a number of warning signs that someone may be at risk of developing psychosis. These can include:
- Changes in sleep patterns: Sleeping too much or too little can be a sign of psychosis.
- Changes in appetite: A sudden change in appetite, such as losing or gaining a significant amount of weight, can be a sign of psychosis.
- Changes in energy level: A sudden increase or decrease in energy can be a sign of psychosis.
- Changes in behavior: Sudden changes in behavior, such as becoming more withdrawn or aggressive, can be a sign of psychosis.
- Difficulty concentrating: Having difficulty focusing or paying attention can be a sign of psychosis.
- Difficulty completing tasks: Having difficulty completing tasks or following through on plans can be a sign of psychosis.
- Paranoia: Experiencing feelings of paranoia or distrust can be a sign of psychosis.
- Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that are not really there can be a sign of psychosis.
Signs of early psychosis
The signs of early psychosis, also known as prodromal psychosis or the prodrome, can vary from person to person, but they may include:
- Changes in mood: Experiencing sudden changes in mood, such as feeling unusually happy or depressed, can be a sign of early psychosis.
- Changes in behavior: Sudden changes in behavior, such as becoming more isolated or engaging in risky behavior, can be a sign of early psychosis.
- Changes in thinking: Having difficulty concentrating or experiencing strange thoughts can be a sign of early psychosis.
- Paranoia: Experiencing feelings of paranoia or mistrust can be a sign of early psychosis.
- Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that are not really there can be a sign of early psychosis.
Who’s affected by Psychosis?
Psychosis can affect people of all ages, but it is most commonly diagnosed in people in their late teenage years or early 20s. Psychosis is more common in men than in women.
Certain groups of people may be at an increased risk of developing psychosis, including:
- People with a family history of psychosis: If someone in your family has a history of psychosis, you may be at an increased risk of developing the condition.
- People with certain mental health conditions: Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder can increase the risk of psychosis.
- People with substance abuse issues: Substance abuse, especially the use of drugs such as amphetamines and LSD, can increase the risk of psychosis.
- People who have experienced trauma: Traumatic events, such as abuse or a head injury, can increase the risk of psychosis.
- People with certain medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as brain tumors and multiple sclerosis, can cause psychosis.
Diagnosing Psychosis
Diagnosing psychosis involves a thorough evaluation by a mental health professional. The mental health professional will ask about the person’s symptoms, medical history, and any substances they may be using. They may also perform a physical exam and order lab tests to rule out any medical conditions that may be causing the psychosis.
To diagnose psychosis, the mental health professional will consider the following criteria:
- Presence of delusions or hallucinations: Delusions are false beliefs that a person holds onto despite evidence to the contrary, while hallucinations are sensory experiences that occur in the absence of any external stimuli.
- Disorganized thinking: People with psychosis may have difficulty organizing their thoughts and may have trouble making sense of their surroundings.
- Changes in behavior: Psychosis can cause changes in behavior, such as becoming more withdrawn or aggressive.
- Duration of symptoms: To be diagnosed with psychosis, the symptoms must be present for at least one month.
The mental health professional will also consider any underlying causes of the psychosis, such as a mental health condition or substance abuse. Based on the evaluation, the mental health professional will determine the most appropriate course of treatment.
Treating Psychosis
Treatment for psychosis may include a combination of medications and therapy. The specific treatment plan will depend on the severity of the psychosis and any underlying causes.
Medications: Antipsychotic medications can help to reduce the severity of delusions and hallucinations. These medications work by balancing the chemicals in the brain.
Therapy: Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or family therapy, can help people with psychosis to better understand and manage their symptoms.
Hospitalization: In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary if the person is a danger to themselves or others.
It is important to follow the treatment plan as directed by the healthcare provider. In some cases, it may take time to find the right combination of medications and therapy that works for the individual. It is also important to seek support from friends and family during treatment.
If the person with psychosis is experiencing suicidal thoughts, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. A mental health professional can help to develop a plan to keep the person safe and to manage their symptoms.
Complications of Psychosis
Untreated psychosis can lead to a number of complications, including:
- Difficulty functioning: Psychosis can interfere with a person’s ability to work, attend school, and maintain relationships.
- Substance abuse: People with psychosis may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms, which can lead to addiction.
- Suicidal thoughts: Psychosis can increase the risk of suicide.
- Health problems: Psychosis can also lead to health problems if the person does not take care of themselves properly.
Preventing Psychosis
It is not always possible to prevent psychosis, but there are some steps that may help to reduce the risk:
- Seek treatment for mental health conditions: If you have a mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety, it is important to seek treatment and follow your treatment plan as directed. This can help to prevent the condition from worsening and potentially leading to psychosis.
- Avoid drug and alcohol abuse: Substance abuse can increase the risk of psychosis. It is important to avoid using drugs and to drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
- Seek help for traumatic events: If you have experienced a traumatic event, such as abuse or a natural disaster, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional to cope with the event and prevent it from triggering psychosis.
- Get regular medical check-ups: Regular medical check-ups can help to identify any medical conditions that may cause psychosis, such as a brain tumor.
- Take care of your physical health: Taking care of your physical health, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly, can also help to reduce the risk of psychosis.