PSYCHOSIS
Psychosis is a mental condition marked by a profound distortion in an individual's perception of reality. Those affected by psychosis often struggle to distinguish what is real from what is not, resulting in a detachment from everyday reality.
Three Primary Symptoms
Hallucinations: Perceiving sensory experiences that do not exist, such as hearing voices or seeing things.
Delusions: Holding strong, false beliefs despite contrary evidence or rational argument.
Disturbed Thoughts: Exhibiting disorganised thinking or speech patterns.
Exploring the Causes
Schizophrenia: A complex mental disorder characterised by disordered thoughts, hallucinations, and impaired functioning.
Bipolar Disorder: Individuals with bipolar disorder may experience manic or depressive episodes, sometimes involving psychosis.
Stress or Anxiety: High stress or intense anxiety levels can contribute to psychotic episodes.
Severe Depression: Including postnatal depression, a condition affecting new mothers.
Importantly, while these conditions may increase the risk of psychosis, its development is not guaranteed.
Substances & Psychosis
Alcohol Misuse: Heavy alcohol consumption can trigger psychotic episodes.
Drug Misuse: Several drugs, such as cocaine, LSD, MDMA, ketamine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine, have been linked to psychosis.
Certain Medications: Some prescribed medications may have psychotic side effects.
Seeking Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of psychosis, it's crucial to take action promptly. Contacting your GP (General Practitioner) is the first step. They may refer you to an Early Intervention Team, which specialises in helping individuals experiencing their first episode of psychosis. These teams offer tailored treatments to address psychosis effectively.
In some cases, antipsychotic medications may be prescribed to alleviate hallucinations and delusional thoughts. It's worth noting that side effects can accompany these medications, but they vary among individuals, and not everyone will experience them.
Psychosis is a challenging condition, but with timely intervention and support, it can be managed effectively, allowing individuals to regain a sense of reality and well-being.