What is Psychosis

Psychosis is a mental health disorder where the person loses touch with reality. The primary symptoms of psychosis are delusions and hallucinations. Psychosis is actually more of a symptom than a disorder. It could be a symptom of a mental disorder, like severe depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. In this article, you will learn about the symptoms, causes, and risk factors of psychosis. You will also learn about how is psychosis diagnosed and treatment of psychosis.

Symptoms of Psychosis

The symptoms of psychosis may include:

• Delusions (false beliefs)

This can be of many types, such as persecutory (believing someone is out to get them), grandiose (thinking they have special powers or abilities), or referential (assuming that things happening around them are related to them in some way).

• Hallucinations

This can involve seeing, hearing, feeling, or smelling things that aren't actually there.

• Disorganised speech or thinking

This can cause individuals to speak incoherently or switch topics, making it difficult to follow their train of thought.

• Abnormal behaviour

This behaviour can manifest as agitation, catatonia, or other unusual movements/actions.

The symptoms of psychosis are as follows:

• A drop in school grades or work performances

• Trouble focusing

• Difficulty concentrating

• Paranoia

• Social withdrawal

• Lack of interest in personal grooming

• Trouble communicating

• Talking about unreal/non-existent things or people

• Frozen appearance or catatonia

• Lack of eye contact

• Disorganised behaviour

• Constant talking

• Switching topics

• Loss of train of thoughts

• Incoherent speech

Causes of Psychosis

The cause of psychosis varies. As mentioned earlier, psychosis is not a disease but a combination of symptoms. Depending on the symptoms the causes can vary. While genetics play a role for some, it could stem from an illness for others. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other dissociative disorders can be considered as causes of psychosis. Some known causes of psychosis are listed below.

• Genetics

• Childhood trauma

• Substance abuse

• Mental health conditions like schizophrenia & bipolar disorder

• Maternal infections

• Maternal stress

• Head injury

• Lack of sleep

• Certain medicines

• Sex hormones

Risk Factors for Developing Psychosis

Several aspects are considered risk factors for developing psychosis. Some risk factors for developing psychosis include a family history of the condition, drug use, trauma or stress, and a history of mental health issues. Other factors could be social isolation, sleep deprivation, and exposure to environmental toxins. Some common risk factors are as follows:

• Brain injury, including stroke or traumatic brain injury

• Family history of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, or mood disorders

• Dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease

• Brain tumour or cyst

• Alcohol and drug misuse

• Certain prescription medications

• HIV and other infections

• Childhood brain trauma or infections

• Genetic mutations

How is Psychosis Diagnosed?

Psychosis is not a disease but often a symptom of a severe mental health condition. To diagnose psychosis, the doctor will do a detailed psychiatric evaluation. The doctor will try to understand genetics, family history, and social and religious contexts. He/she may also perform medical tests like CBC, thyroid function tests, etc. The doctor may also test for HIV and syphilis, as well as ascertain if there is any history of head injury, drug abuse, or brain tumour.

Treatment of Psychosis

Psychosis is treated using a combination of medication and therapy. Some of the treatment options are as follows:

• Antipsychotics

• Tranquilisers

• Cognitive behavioural therapy

The treatment of psychosis takes time and depends on the phases of psychosis. If a person is suffering from psychotic rage where there is a risk of self-harm, suicide, or harming others, the doctor may use rapid tranquilisation to help the patient fall asleep. Electroconvulsive therapy is also used in severe cases of psychosis, especially if a patient is suffering from psychotic rage.