Understanding Psychosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Posted by Improving Lives Counseling Services, Inc. | Individual Counseling
“Holding false beliefs or judgements about external realties that are held despite incontrovertible evidence to the contrary” is delusional thinking. Hallucinations, imaginations, visions, illusions, whims, and waking dreams fall into this category as does experiencing something seen, heard, smelled, tasted, or sensed as touch, which isn’t real. The perception of something not present is psychosis, which often begins in the late teens, but has been diagnosed in children as young as five and six. Improving Lives Counseling Services’ diverse team of licensed mental health professionals treat the behavioral, cognitive, and psychological symptoms of psychosis and psychotic disorders.
WHO PSYCHOSIS AFFECTS
No one is too young or too old to experience the symptoms of a psychotic episode. Usually diagnosed in teens and young adults; children, seniors, and the elderly often display symptoms of psychosis. Does this mean your child’s invisible friend is a symptom of psychosis? No. Imaginary friends during childhood are usually normal. However, if you observe your child having concerning conversations, using problem words or phrases, insisting that family interact with the friend, blaming the friend for bad behaviors, or still connecting with the friend as they reach school-age and adolescence, a mental health check-up is strongly suggested.
Psychosis can be terrifying to experience in a loved one. “Disorganized speech may manifest as incoherent babbling, and abnormal movements can include motionlessness, a state called catatonia” – symptoms largely seen in clients diagnosed with chronic depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia – with catatonic features. Clients diagnosed with certain physical illnesses and diseases, who do not have a mental health diagnosis, can also experience symptoms of catatonia.
Psychosis is not specific to any gender, demographic, or background, however, in teens and adults, genetics, environment, chronic stress, workplace burnout, grief, extreme loneliness, domestic violence, exposure to trauma, brain injuries, and sudden loss of a longtime spouse or partner – suddenly living alone – can ignite a psychotic episode. Psychosis can emerge as a symptom in clients diagnosed with dementia, Parkinsons, Alzheimer’s (in the elderly), and in certain stroke patients.
DRUG INDUCED PSYCHOSIS
Substance-induced psychosis is a form of psychosis brought on by alcohol or other drug use. Depending on the substance, drug abuse can disrupt chemical balance in the brain’s neurotransmitters, affect brain structure, modulate emotions, affect cognition, cause excessive dopamine, and create paranoia; all of which can trigger symptoms of psychosis. The increase in dopamine can make the abuser think he or she has a new identity, is insensitive to pain, can perform dangerous acts, or is free to commit crimes.
Symptoms of drug induced psychosis can include hearing voices, seeing floaters, and thinking you are being watched, touched, harassed, or attacked. Drug-induced cultural, religious, suicidal, and sexual hallucinations and delusions can be especially dangerous for individuals predisposed to psychosis due to existing mental health disorders.
PSYCHOSIS AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
Hallucinations and delusions can cause an individual to forget to eat, to become immobile, and find it impossible to sleep – or to eat excessively, sleep excessively, overexert physically, and cease self-care. Psychotic episodes can affect blood pressure and heart rate; increase the risk of diabetes, elevate cholesterol levels, and induce tremors. Individuals on medications may refuse to take them or take too many. The increased stress can weaken the immune system, lead to cardiovascular disease, impair lung function, and increase the possibility of stroke. Individuals experiencing psychosis may self-harm, experience hypersexuality, suicidality, or the emotional symptoms of behavior disorders. It is important for individuals experiencing psychotic episodes to get physical and mental health care.
SUMMARY
Experiencing psychosis, or a psychotic episode, does not mean you are mentally ill. However, psychosis is defined as “a mental disorder characterized by a disconnection from reality.” Psychotic episodes can happen to anyone, at any age, and can last a couple of hours, days, weeks, months, or be ongoing. Genetics, environment, lifestyle, medications, or a diagnosed mental illness are major causes of psychosis. Triggers for psychotic episodes include trauma, physical injury / pain, substance abuse, domestic violence, sleep deprivation, personality disorders, behavior disorders, extreme weather, victimization, chronic stress, homelessness, anticipatory grief, and chronic illness.
Through a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and supportive interventions, Improving Lives Counseling Services’ team of licensed, trained, professional counselors and therapists, diagnose and treat the cognitive, psychological symptoms of psychosis and psychotic disorder behavior. Statistics show a high risk of violence, criminality, promiscuity, and suicide if not treated. We can help. Call 918-960-7852 to learn more.
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PSYCHOSIS IN CHILDREN, TEENS, YOUNG ADULTS
“Before young adults experience their first psychotic episode, they often show signs that something is awry. Their behavior may seem unusual, confused, or withdrawn, and they may begin to struggle in school or at work. Seeking help during this phase or active psychosis is key. Treatment can allow individuals to manage the condition and continue along their life path during the years of early adulthood.” Signs can include: A drop in grades or job performance, blunted or inappropriate emotion, an inability to think clearly and the sense that something is off, suspicions about the behavior of others, aggression toward others, memory problems and distractibility, sensitivity to stimuli such as bright lights, noise, colors, and textures, peculiar use of words and phrases, mangled syntax, rapid speech, and nonsensical statements.”
It’s important to note that psychosis is often the result of a combination of factors rather than a single cause and individual experiences can vary widely.
