Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes
people to perceive or interpret things differently from those around them such as when a person loses touch with reality.
- hallucinations – where a person
hears, sees and, in some cases, feels, smells or tastes things that aren't
there; a common hallucination is hearing voices
- delusions – where a person
believes things that, when examined rationally, are obviously
untrue – for example, thinking your next door neighbour is
planning to kill you
Experiencing the symptoms of
psychosis is often referred to as having a psychotic episode. The combination
of hallucinations and delusional thinking can often severely disrupt
perception, thinking, emotion, and behaviour. These experiences can be
frightening. They may also cause people who are experiencing psychosis to hurt
themselves or others. It is important to see a doctor right away if you or
someone you know is experiencing symptoms of psychosis.
Causes
of psychosis
Each case of psychosis is different, and the exact
cause is not always clear. There are, however, certain illnesses that cause
psychosis. There are also triggers like drug use, lack of sleep, and other
environmental factors. In addition, certain situations can lead to specific
types of psychosis to develop.
Psychosis isn't a
condition in itself – it's triggered by other conditions.
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 depression (lows) and mania (highs)
- severe
depression – some
people with depression also have symptoms of psychosis when they're very
depressed
Psychosis can also be triggered by traumatic
experiences, stress, or physical conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, a brain tumor, or as a result of drug misuse or alcohol misuse.
How often a psychotic episode occurs and how long
it lasts can depend on the underlying cause.
What is
first episode of psychosis?
The terms "early psychosis" or
"first episode psychosis" mean that an individual is experiencing
psychosis for the first time.
Psychotic episodes are periods of time when
symptoms of psychosis are strong and interfere with daily life. Although the
lengths of these episodes vary from person to person and may only last a few
hours or days, psychosis may continue for weeks, months or even years unless
the person receives proper treatment.
.
Treating psychosis
Treatment for psychosis involves using a
combination of:
- anti-psychotic medication – which
can help relieve the symptoms of psychosis
- psychological
therapies –
these have proved successful in helping people with schizophrenia; in
appropriate cases, family therapy has been shown to reduce the need for
hospital treatment in people with psychosis
- social
support – support
with social needs, such as education, employment, or accommodation
Most people with psychosis who get better with
medication need to continue taking it for at least a year. Some people need to
take medication long term to prevent symptoms
recurring.
Mental health conditions such as
Psychosis are just as common as
other health conditions like diabetes.
It is therefore encouraged to seek help as early as possible for both Psychosis
and Substance Abuse.
Why should you find
help very early?
Mental health conditions like Psychosis have negative effects on your
social, psychological and economic life. They can affect your relationships,
school/work performance and can even robe you of essential life and other
survival skills. To maximize on greater chances of recovery, help should be
sought as early as possible. It is therefore encouraged to visit a clinic or health center near you immediately if
you or someone you know is experiencing psychotic episodes.
Remember
Its important psychosis is treated as
soon as possible, as early treatment has better long-term outcomes!
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