Psychosis is a state that affects how the brain processes information. Psychosis can lead you to detach with reality which means you may feel, hear, see or believe things that are not real. Psychosis refers to a number of possible symptoms such as hallucinations, incoherent talking, delusions and agitation and usually, a person won’t be aware of their behaviour and detachment from reality. It is estimated that around 3 out of 100 people will experience psychosis during their life.

What causes Psychosis?

Psychosis is a condition that can affect anyone, and any person has the capacity to experience any level of psychosis depending on their circumstances. Psychosis can be brought on by various things including, physical illness, significant hormonal changes in the body, trauma, extreme stress, substances like drugs and alcohol or medications, genetics and existing mental health conditions such as schizophrenia.

What are the signs of psychosis?

Psychosis can present itself in many ways. Signs of psychosis may include changes in:

• Behaviour: aggression, hyperactivity, self-harm, repetition of actions or words, disorganised behaviour Cognition/thinking: confusion, beliefs that thought are not your own, disorientation, beliefs of special or personal meaning in ordinary events and occurrences

• Mood: anxiety, detachment from self, excitement, anger

• Psychological state: having hallucinations which are tactile, audio, or visual, feeling paranoid, fear, religions delusions

• Speech: rapid or disconnected speech, excessive wordiness

Diagnosing Psychosis

Sometimes symptoms of psychosis can interfere with and affect different areas of your life such as work, relationships and school so it’s a good idea to seek out assistance from a health professional if you notice anything of concern to help stop and manage this. To diagnose psychosis, you can start by talking to your doctor. They should be able to point you in the right direction and refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. By talking to a health professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist you might be able to figure out what led to or contributed to your symptoms and determine whether it is indeed psychosis or another condition.

How to treat Psychosis

There are a number of ways to treat psychosis depending on the cause and what it looks like. For instance, psychoeducation and psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy have been shown to be effective in the treatment of psychosis. Psychologists can therefore help by using these treatment approaches. Other forms of treatment include medications such as anti-psychotics which a Psychiatrist and/or GP can offer support with.

How can Family and Friends help support someone with Psychosis?

Family education and support is also another important area of the treatment of psychosis. As a family member or friend of someone who is experiencing psychosis it can be really hard to know what to do and how to support that person. By seeking assistance from health professionals you can learn more about psychosis including how to communicate with the person suffering from it, coping strategies and how to help support the person. In doing so you may be more informed and prepared to support that person in their recovery. Like any mental health condition, it’s important to treat psychosis with patience and care.

Final words

Psychosis can be a frightening experience for someone, and also their loved ones, however, with the right support and understanding it can be something that is well managed and the ongoing impact can be therefore lessened. If you’re interested in finding out more about psychosis and about how a psychologist can help, please contact us, and we would be more than happy to discuss any questions you may have.