Psychosis
What is Psychosis
Psychosis is a type of severe mental condition in which there is a significant difference between a person’s thinking and reality. It is a symptom of a severe mental disorder. People who have psychosis start feeling either delusions or hallucinations.
Hallucination is a mental experience that is not present. For example, someone with hearing-related delusions should hear the voice of the mother screaming when the mother is not around.
Apart from this, a person with hallucinations related to sighting can be seen standing in front of someone while no one is standing in front of him.
People with psychosis may also have thoughts that are different from the actual evidence (or object). These thoughts are called illusion or illusionary disease. Some people with psychosis feel a lack of motivation in themselves, and they keep away from society.
The experience of psychosis can be quite intimidating. In people who have psoriasis, many times there are also thoughts of harming or harming themselves or others.
If you or some other to whom person you know is feeling symptoms associated with psychosis, it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Types of Psychosis
What are the different kinds of psychosis?
Some types of psychosis come under certain particular circumstances or conditions, including:
Brief psychotic disorder:
The brief psychotic disorder is sometimes called brief reactive psychosis. This can often be due to some severe personal stress, such as the death of a family member.
People with brief reactive psychosis usually recover from a few days to a few weeks. The time it takes for them to recover depends on the source of their stress.
Click Here To Read: Destroy Depression Review – Is It Legit or Scam?
Using other drugs like alcohol or cocaine also leads to psychosis. People who have hallucinations like LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) start seeing things in front of their eyes that are not present there.
But the effect of these drugs is only for a short time. Some medicines prescribed by the doctor like steroids and stimulants etc. also cause some symptoms of psychosis.
People who consume alcohol or any other drugs regularly, if they stop taking them (alcohol or the drugs they take), they may start to feel some symptoms of psychosis.
Injuries to the head or any disease or infection affecting the brain can also cause psychosis.
Symptoms of psychosis
What symptoms are felt when there is psychosis?
There are mainly two symptoms that are felt in Psychosis:
Myth:
In this, the patient makes a concept or idea firmly inside his mind and even after showing it repeatedly the reality or telling the truth, he does not remove his idea from the mind. There are delusions of paranoia, grandiose delusions and somatic delusions.
People who have delusions of insanity often feel as if someone is following them while in reality, there is no one behind them. Apart from this, they may also feel as if some secret messages are being sent to them.
People with grand illusions have an increased sense of importance. People who have body confusion often feel as if they are suffering from some severe illness while in fact, they are healthy.
Hallucinations:
It is a brain experience that is not real. Like listening to a song or feel like smelling something when there is nothing like it. In this, people see silly things such as seeing someone when, in reality, there is no one or even when they are alone, the voices of people are heard.
Some other signs and symptoms like:
- Difficulty focusing.
- Depression mood.
- Sleeping too long.
- Getting used to repeated doubts (scepticism).
- Creating distances from family or friends.
- Change the subject while speaking (speaking in a disorganized manner).
- Thoughts of suicide or attempts to commit the suicide.
When should the doctor see?
If you feel any of the above symptoms, go to the doctor as soon as possible. It is imperative to get the treatment of psychosis as soon as possible because the sooner it is treated, the more effective the treatment is.
The doctor may also ask you some questions to find out the cause of psychosis. Doctors can also refer you to mental health specialists for further investigation and treatment.
Psychosis Causes & Risk Factors
Why does psychosis occur?
Each case of psychosis may vary, so it is difficult to ascertain the exact cause. Some diseases can cause psychosis. However, there are also some environmental factors such as consuming drugs, not getting enough sleep, and other factors that can cause psychosis. Also, certain types of conditions can develop certain types of psychosis.
Click Here To Read:- What is Personality Disorder?
Diseases:
Some types of conditions that can cause psychosis:
- Neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and chromosomal disorder (chromosomal disorders).
- Brain tumor or cyst.
Some types of dementia can also develop psychosis, which is due to:
- Alzheimer’s disease.
- HIV AIDS, Syphilis.
- Some types of epileptic seizures.
- Stroke.
Risk factors of psychosis
Till now, it is not possible to identify those who are more likely to develop psychosis. However, studies have found that certain genetic factors may play a role in developing psychosis.
The chances of developing psychosis increase even more for those close to the family who have this disorder, such as parents or close siblings who have psychosis.
Diagnosis of psychosis
How is the psychosis tested?
Psychosis is tested by psychological evaluation. During this test, the doctor will carefully observe the patient’s behaviour and will ask some questions about how the patient is feeling. Apart from this, x-rays and other medical tests can be done to find out if an underlying disease causes the symptoms.
Testing for Psychosis in Children and Adolescents:
Many symptoms are present in adults with psychosis, which do not occur in children or adolescents with psychosis. For example, children with psychosis often have an imaginary friend with whom they talk. This fantasy game is entirely normal for children.
If you are worried about your adolescents and children’s having psychosis, then inform the doctor about their behaviour.
Psychosis treatment
How is psychosis treated?
Medications and therapy can be used simultaneously in the treatment of psychosis. With the help of therapy, most people who have psychosis start improving.
Rapid Tranquilization:
Sometimes people with psychosis are suddenly agitated, which increases the risk of injury to themselves or others. In such cases, it is necessary to calm them as soon as possible.
This process is called rapid tranquilization. During this procedure, the doctor gives the patient a quick working injection, which eases the patient immediately, in case the patient becomes agitated.
Click Here To Read: 20 Ways to calm your mind – How to calm your mind
Medications:
The drugs that are used to control the symptoms of psychosis are called antipsychotics. These drugs reduce confusion and hallucinations and help patients to think more clearly. Doctors prescribe appropriate types of antipsychotics based on the patient’s symptoms.
In many cases, people with psychosis need to take antipsychotics for a short period to keep their symptoms under control. People with schizophrenia may need to take these medicines throughout life.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy:
In this therapy, the patient is regularly called to speak with a mental health counselor; the main goal of talking with the patient is to change the patient’s thinking and behavior.
This therapy has been proven to be effective in helping to transform people’s thinking and manage their illness well permanently. This therapy also often helps to improve the symptoms of psychosis on which the medicines do not fully work.
Complications of Psychosis
What complications develop with psychosis?
There is not much of a complication when there is psychosis, although if the condition is left untreated, people with psychosis are finding it challenging to take care of themselves. Apart from this, if other diseases are left untreated, then it causes different diseases.
Most people with psychosis get cured completely when treated appropriately. Even severe cases of psychosis can be cured with the help of drugs and therapy.
Note: Depression Cure does not provide any type of medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.