Psychosis: What It Is and How It Is Treated

You may have heard of the term “psychosis” or may not. However, many people have a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about this. You might have seen it in movies or television shows where characters experience all kinds of wild hallucinations or delusions. But psychosis is more than just something for movies or TV shows. It is a serious mental health condition that affects real people. Plus, it is not always as dramatic as what we see in entertainment.

As of my knowledge, psychosis does not have one clear-cut definition. It is because it is actually a symptom not a diagnosis by itself. It is a condition where someone has a hard time differentiating what is real from what is not. You know what—these experiences can frighten both the person going through them and their family members. So, it is essential to understand what psychosis is. Additionally, it is also equally important to understand how it is treated.

So, What Exactly Is Psychosis?

At its core, psychosis is when the mind of a person starts to disconnect from reality. It is like when someone experiences a major shift in the way they think, feel, or see the world around them. The sufferers might start seeing things that are not there. They might hear things no one else hears. Or, they might believe things that are not true. For example, a person might assume that they are being followed by someone. They might hear voices telling them they are in danger. But the reality is that no one can hear those voices or see what they are seeing. These incidents are common among many psychotic patients but the other symptoms can also appear.

I know these experiences can be terrifying. But the good news is that psychosis is treatable just like many other diseases. Many people can recover with the right care and right approach with proper medications. You need to remember that psychosis is not just a single thing. It is more like a cluster of symptoms. These experiences can also happen in the context of different mental health issues or other medical conditions.

What Are the Symptoms of Psychosis?

There are many significant symptoms of psychosis. Hallucinations and delusions are the main symptoms and the first signs that someone may be experiencing psychosis. But other symptoms can also outbreak, like disorganized thinking or odd behaviors. Please take a look at the following key symptoms of psychosis.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are sensory experiences that do not have a basis in reality. In this situation, a person might hear voices, see things, or even feel things that are not really there. Based on the different experiences, hallucinations can be categorized into the following:

• Auditory hallucinations: It is when a person hears voices but actually no one else hears the same voices.
• Visual hallucinations: It is when a person experiences visuals that do not have any reality.
• Tactile hallucinations: It is when a person feels things that are not there.
• Olfactory hallucinations: It is when a person smells things that do not exist.

It is essential to know that while hallucinations are a key symptom of psychosis, they can also happen in other conditions like extreme stress, sleep deprivation, or substance use.

Delusions

Delusions are another common symptom in psychotic patients. If you are wondering what delusions are—you need to know that these are false beliefs that someone holds firmly, even where there is clear evidence to the contrary. A person experiencing delusions will stand by their beliefs and deny the fact. Let’s take a look at some common delusions.

• Paranoia: Thinking someone is out to get them.
• Grandiose delusions: Believing they have special powers.
• Somatic delusions: Thinking their body is somehow malfunctioning.

For example, someone might believe that they can control the weather, or they might believe that they are being secretly watched by the government. However, there is no evidence that supports those beliefs.

Disorganized Thinking and Speech

Apart from hallucinations and delusions, people with psychosis may also show signs of disorganized thinking. This scenario can make it difficult for sufferers to communicate clearly. If you talk with such as person, you will notice that they jump from one topic to another with no clear connection between their thoughts. You will also find it hard to follow their speech. This can look like someone suddenly changing the subject in the middle of a conversation or speaking in a way that does not make much sense. This disorganized thinking can make it tough for others to understand what they are trying to say.

Abnormal Behaviors

In some cases of psychosis, sufferers can also show abnormal or unreliable behaviors. They may behave in ways that you do not understand at all. For example, a person with psychosis may start acting in ways that are inappropriate for the situation. They may start laughing at something serious, walking unusually, or cleaning things obsessively. In worse conditions, psychosis can lead to catatonia which is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by abnormal movements, behaviors, and withdrawal. However, this is relatively rare.

Negative Symptoms

Some cases of psychosis also exhibit negative symptoms. Sufferers become unable to function normally. The negative symptoms may include a lack of emotion, social withdrawal, or difficulty completing everyday tasks. For example, a person with psychosis might stop taking care of their personal hygiene or become uninterested in activities they used to enjoy.

What Causes Psychosis?

There is no single cause of psychosis. It is often the result of a combination of different factors, both mental and physical. Psychosis can occur as part of other mental health disorders or medical conditions. Plus, it can also be triggered by substance use.

Mental Health Disorders

The most common mental health conditions linked to psychosis are:

• Schizophrenia: This is probably the most well-known condition related to psychosis. Schizophrenia is a long-term, chronic disorder that includes symptoms of psychosis like delusions and hallucinations.
• Bipolar Disorder: In some cases, people with bipolar disorder experience psychosis. It happens generally during manic or depressive episodes.
• Severe Depression: Sometimes, people with severe depression can develop psychotic symptoms, like hearing voices or having delusional beliefs related to their feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.

Substance Use

Substance use is also a key factor contributing to psychotic behaviors. Drugs like cocaine, meth, or LSD can trigger psychosis, either during intoxication or as part of withdrawal. Alcohol, when abused over time or during withdrawal, can also cause psychotic symptoms. In some cases, even marijuana (cannabis) can trigger psychosis in people who are prone to it.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions, like brain tumors, neurological diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease), or infections that affect the brain, can lead to psychosis. Stroke, brain injuries, and epilepsy are also linked to psychotic symptoms.

Stress and Trauma

A major life event, like the death of a loved one or experiencing a traumatic event, can sometimes trigger psychosis, especially in people who are already vulnerable. Stressful situations, extreme exhaustion, or sleep deprivation can also set off episodes of psychosis.

Genetics

While this is not always the case, having a family history of psychosis or conditions like schizophrenia can increase a person’s risk of experiencing psychosis themselves.

Different Types of Psychotic Disorders

Psychosis can show up in different ways. Because it depends on the underlying cause. Here are a few common types of psychotic disorders:

Schizophrenia: This is the most common psychotic and chronic disorder. People with schizophrenia often experience psychotic episodes over a long period of time. They may experience hallucinations or disorganized thinking even between episodes of symptom-free periods.

Delusional Disorder: In this case, people experience persistent delusions. However, they do not have a broader range of symptoms that come with schizophrenia, like hallucinations or disorganized thinking.

Brief Psychotic Disorder: As the name suggests, the symptoms of brief psychotic disorder come on suddenly and last for a short period of time—typically less than a month. Usually, the sufferers become normal once the episode ends.

Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder: This type of psychosis happens because of drug or alcohol use. A person with this type of psychosis will experience symptoms of psychosis during or shortly after their use of substances like drugs or alcohol.

Psychotic Disorder Due to a Medical Condition: Some medical conditions, like brain injuries, strokes, or infections, can also exhibit psychosis symptoms. Treatment usually focuses on addressing the underlying medical issues.

How Is Psychosis Treated?

The good news is that psychosis is treatable, and many people can recover or manage their symptoms with the right care. The treatment approach depends on the underlying cause of the psychosis.

Medication

Antipsychotic medications are the most commonly used treatment for psychosis. These medications work by balancing certain chemicals in the brain, like dopamine, which are often disrupted during psychotic episodes. There are two main types of antipsychotic drugs:

• First-generation antipsychotics (typical antipsychotics): These were the first medications developed to treat psychosis. They are effective, but they can cause side effects like tremors or muscle stiffness.
• Second-generation antipsychotics (atypical antipsychotics): These newer medications are often preferred because they generally cause fewer side effects. They are usually the go-to treatment for people with psychosis.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is one of the best methods to cope with psychosis symptoms. One popular therapeutic technique is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).  CBT helps people with psychosis manage their symptoms in a significant way. This can help them change harmful thoughts and beliefs. Also, it teaches them coping strategies to handle hallucinations and delusions. However, therapy is more beneficial and effective when it is combined with medication.

Hospitalization

In some rare cases, hospitalization may be necessary to stabilize the person and provide intensive care. It is required when a person’s safety is at risk. Hospitalization not only provides treatment and instant relief but also gives a safe and controlled environment.

Support Services

The combination of medication and therapy can surely benefit a person with psychosis. But sometimes, it is not enough. Support services like case management, rehabilitation, and social skills training are also required. With these support services, people with psychosis can effectively cope with the practical aspects of life. They can rebuild their social and work skills and adjust to daily life after an episode.

Final Thoughts on Psychosis and Treatment

Psychosis is a serious and sometimes scary condition. I agree with this. But it is also treatable. With the right help and a combination of medication and therapy, sufferers can manage their symptoms and live fulfilling, and productive lives. If you or someone you know is experiencing psychosis, you must not hesitate to get professional help as soon as possible. The faster you consult a psychiatrist, the faster you can expect recovery. Just remember, that just like other diseases, psychosis can be treated for sure if the issue is addressed early. Early treatment will ensure better chances of improving quality of life and achieving stability.

As the best psychiatrist in Delhi, I, Dr. Shashi Bhushan Kumar, also provide treatment and therapy services for psychosis, schizophrenia, depression, and other mental conditions.. You can consult us if you or your loved one is experiencing psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.