Psychosis is a symptom of other mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and involves psychotic episodes involving hallucinations or delusions.
It can also be caused by some physical conditions or as a result of alcohol misuse or drug abuse.
A psychotic episode can involve hallucinations such as hearing voices, tasting something unpleasant, seeing imaginary people or animals or feeling strange sensations on the skin. Paranoid delusions of feeling persecuted or delusions of grandeur where there is a belief in an imaginary power can also occur.
People with psychosis can have confused and disturbed thoughts, leading to talking rapidly and incoherently or suddenly stopping mid-conversation as their thoughts wander. When people are having a psychotic episode they are generally unaware of their behaviour.
Treatment depends on the primary cause of psychotic symptoms but usually involves a combination of anti-psychotic medication and psychological therapies. A consultant psychiatrist or your GP will need to monitor the use of medication due to the side effects that can trouble you with this type of medication. Stopping medication can trigger a return of symptoms so the withdrawal of medication must take place under close observation.
Psychological treatment should be used to help you understand your experiences and manage thinking patterns and behaviours. Therapy can include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), family therapy and self-help groups.
Psychosis is a mental health symptom where a person loses touch with reality, often experiencing hallucinations, delusions, or disorganised thinking. It is commonly associated with conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression.
Early signs of psychosis may include unusual thoughts, suspicion or paranoia, withdrawing from family and friends, changes in mood, trouble concentrating, and distorted perceptions such as hearing voices or seeing things that others do not.
Psychosis can be caused by mental health conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, physical illnesses (such as brain injury or infection), extreme stress, trauma, lack of sleep, or substance misuse including alcohol and drugs.
A diagnosis of psychosis is typically made by a psychiatrist following a thorough mental health assessment, which may include interviews, medical history, and sometimes physical tests to rule out other causes of the symptoms.
Yes, many people can recover from psychosis, especially with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Recovery may involve managing symptoms long-term or experiencing full remission. Support from mental health professionals, medication, therapy, and a strong support network all play important roles in the recovery process.
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