The mind is one of the best aspects of human existence.
It births ideas and links all parts of us together. So, what happens when the mind loses touch with reality?
The development of the mind starts from when we are children and this is done by bringing together various childhood experiences. This process continues throughout our lives.
What Is Psychosis?
Psychosis is a medical ailment that occurs when a person’s mind has lost touch with reality. The mental capabilities of affected persons have been compromised because they can’t carry out their daily tasks effectively.
Individuals who have a family member that has suffered from any mental illness are liable to have a psychotic disorder. This means that genetics have a major role to play.
Also, children who have 22q11.2 deletion syndrome which occurs when a small piece of chromosome 22 is missing, have a higher chance of getting psychosis.
Just like every ailment that affects the mind, psychosis has different types based on its cause and treatment method.
Causes
Psychosis is caused by a combination of different factors. For example, an aged adult who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease is at risk of being psychotic.
Also, individuals who have experienced immense trauma are at risk of developing a psychotic disorder. Differences in brain development and genetics have a role to play too.
Not getting enough sleep and a proper diet can also cause psychosis.
Types
1. Schizophrenia
Individuals suffering from schizophrenia which is an ailment that affects the capacity to think accurately can have symptoms of psychosis.
2. Bipolar disorder
When individuals have a history of bipolar disorder, it can lead to psychosis. This is a situation where a person experiences episodes of extreme emotional highs and lows. This can be caused when a person goes through emotionally draining incidents like accidents and the loss of a loved one.
3. Delusional disorder
This happens when a person begins to see things that mentally stable individuals can’t see, even when presented with evidence to prove otherwise.
4. Organic psychosis
Damage to any part of our physical body can lead to psychosis, especially injuries that affect the brain.
5. Psychosis caused by drugs and alcohol
Certain drugs can cause a person to get afflicted with psychosis. This is noticed in conditions of substance abuse and addiction because some of these drugs and alcohol contain substances like methamphetamine that cause hallucinations.
Symptoms
The two main symptoms of psychosis are hallucinations and delusions.
For hallucination, the affected individual sees people, things, and places that are not physically present. It can also go as far as feeling and tasting absent items.
For delusion, the individual has intense beliefs about a particular situation or theory which is usually false.
A blend of hallucination and delusion creates intense emotional distress which can lead the patient to be violent and have a loss of memory.
Remedy
The remedy for psychosis involves the use of medication and physical therapy. For medication, prescriptions (an antipsychotic medicine) should be given by a health specialist in psychosis after proper tests and diagnosis.
The following can be done for physical therapy:
- The patient can join social groups that create support for individuals suffering from psychosis.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy which involves one-on-one talking therapy with a health professional has also proved effective in treating persons afflicted with psychosis.
- Basic amenities like education and housing should also be provided.
The journey to full recovery from psychosis is a long-term one that might take months or years depending on several factors. The healing process is fast-tracked when the patient receives love and support from family and friends.
