Please note that this article is not from experience, it is only gathered from educational knowledge and research.
Information has been gathered from the NHS website, mental health resources, I have reflected from MIND’s information too.
For an individual living with psychosis life can seem a little different. Psychosis can be a challenging effect on the cognitive functions, but it can also be lived with peacefully. It can also be long-term or it can be temporary with some individuals only experiencing psychosis once or twice in their lifetime.
Psychosis is the brains’ ability to change (sometimes instantaneously) within their surroundings, this can include black-outs, individuals can experience hallucinations, delusions or disordered thinking.
Treatment typically includes antipsychotic medication, therapy and support from dedicated professionals, loved ones also help with managing symptoms helping with the quality of life for an individual who experiences these symptoms.
With psychosis it is important to understand that it is not a one shoe fits all, it is very complex and differs between individuals.
Psychosis refers to as a loss of contact with reality.
Meaning individuals are seeing / hearing things that others are not experiencing. When an individual experiences this, it sometimes can cause distress reflecting more negative behaviours, such as anger, agitation or frustration and can when misunderstood lead to a more distressing experience such as violence to oneself or violence towards others.
When psychosis is understood whether long-term or temporary it will assist in self-growth and help with any future implications and its management of the experience, allowing an individual to remain within peace.
Temporary psychosis, often referred to as brief psychotic disorder, is characterized by a sudden onset of psychotic symptoms that last from one day to less than a month. Individuals typically return to their previous level of functioning after the episode.
Temporary psychosis can be triggered by significant stressors, including:
- Death of a loved one
- Traumatic events (accidents, assaults)
- Major life changes (divorce, job loss)
Other Factors
- Postpartum Onset: Some women may experience this condition shortly after childbirth.
- Genetic Predisposition: A family history of mood disorders may increase risk.
Psychosis is known as a complex mental health illness as it consists of several different factors that compromise an individual’s reality. Meaning they no longer know what is real and what is not. These experiences can last for an hour or for several months, the experience varies within individuals. They can also be a regular occurrence (daily) or show symptoms once a year.
Schizophrenia or bipolar can present psychosis symptoms.
Psychosis has three main symptoms; these are hallucinations, delusions and disturbed thoughts.
Hallucinations make individuals see or hear things that aren’t there to others, while delusions make them believe these experiences. However, these can sometimes be seen as positive experiences.
Some may feel tired or anxious and have trouble with their daily routine. Others may experience positive internal feelings and even come up with new creative ideas.
Some individuals can align experiences with psychosis as feeling like a split personality, but psychosis is not known to change the personality of an individual, it is a combination of external and internal factors.
Psychosis also does not make individuals violent, most individuals who experience psychosis are not violent. Psychosis can make an individual feel scared or confused encouraging them to lash out, but it doesn’t necessarily lead to harmful behaviour.
Psychosis can happen to anyone. It can be induced by intense stress, bereavement or substance misuse. It is estimated that 3% of people will experience it in their life.
Symptoms
There are three main symptoms associated with psychosis: hallucinations, delusions and disturbed patterns of thought.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations involve one’s senses (sound, sight, touch, smell and taste), particularly when someone perceives things that aren’t real. This could include:
- Hearing voices in your head
- Seeing people that aren’t there
- Feeling someone touching you who is not there
- Smelling something that others don’t
- Tasting something despite not having food in the mouth.
Delusions
Delusions involve one’s beliefs, particularly when one’s beliefs are untrue. Some examples include:
- Feeling like you are being constantly followed or monitored by someone
- Thinking that you have supernatural powers or are a supernatural being
- Believing in conspiracies.
Disturbed thoughts
People with psychosis may have confusing and disturbing patterns of thought. This could include:
- Jumbled or incoherent speech
- Sudden thought interruptions
- Memory problems
- Difficulty taking in new information.
There are many several causes of psychosis, these causes are depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar, genetical and environmental. Many studies show that ongoing stress or trauma has been linked to triggering psychosis and its traits.
Research also suggests that severe childhood trauma have been linked to increased risk for later development of psychosis.
A psychotic episode may also be triggered by substance mis-use, knowing when, where and how much your body can capacitate will reduce future risks of psychosis development.
Medication
For individuals experiencing psychosis, the primary approach often involves prescribing antipsychotic medications. Additionally, your healthcare provider may consider offering antidepressants or medications designed to soothe the potential side effects of antipsychotic drugs.
When starting antipsychotic medication, your doctor will check your overall health, including your weight, blood pressure, and blood tests, to decide on the right medication and dosage.
It’s crucial to discuss medication choices with your doctor if you are experiencing adverse effects.
What should I do if I am experiencing psychosis?
Seek immediate help
Contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible. If your symptoms are severe, call emergency services straight away.
Inform a trusted person
Share your experience with a family member or friend. They can offer support and help you seek professional care. Having someone aware of your situation can provide an extra layer of safety.
Follow professional advice
Adhere strictly to your treatment plan, including taking any prescribed medication. Attend all therapy sessions and follow-up appointments as recommended by your healthcare provider. Consistent adherence to professional advice is essential for managing your symptoms effectively.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
You can live alongside psychosis, we just need to reduce the potential or forthcoming triggers. Taking care of your wellbeing is primitive to a healthy lifestyle.
This can be done in the following ways –
- Engaging in regular physical activities
- Eating a balanced healthy diet
- Ensuring you are getting enough sleep
- Avoid alcohol / recreational drugs
Encouraging these steps will ensure that you are supporting your symptoms / potential symptoms and not worsening them. Please seek support.
Much information was sought from – Change Mental Health they run the Hearing Voices service in Tayside and Fife, they support people to live around their voices and other symptoms of psychosis. Their support pages share lived experience from their staff and people. Getting support or medical advice from your GP will make treatment more effective.
More information on hearing voices through our ‘A Guide to Voices and Sensory Disturbances’ resource alternatively my previous blog on hearing voices;
Thankyou for reading