Psychosis is a mental disorder: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is psychosis?

Psychosis is a medical term that refers to a mental state that is disturbed by delusions or hallucinations. This condition is classified as a serious mental problem.

When a person with psychosis experiences delusions, he or she has a strong belief or belief in something, even though that belief is not in accordance with the facts and is proven wrong. Meanwhile, hallucinations are strong perceptions of an event that is seen, heard, or tasted (smell or touch) but is not actually there.

For example, someone who is in a crowd has hallucinations of hearing someone scream, even though other people do not hear any screaming. Or, someone sees another person standing in front of him, even though there is actually no one around.

Psychosis is a condition or symptom, not a disease. Mental or physical illness, use of certain drugs, or severe stress can cause this condition.

The signs and symptoms that arise generally do not occur suddenly. Symptoms will appear gradually. Apart from delusions and hallucinations, other symptoms that arise include unreasonable speech and behavior that is not appropriate to the situation and conditions.

How common is psychosis?

Psychosis is a condition that commonly triggers many mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, depression, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. Therefore, this condition is a very common symptom that occurs in:

• Most of the people who have schizophrenia
• Some people with bipolar depressive disorder (manic-depressive) or major depression
• Several other personality disorders

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of psychosis?

Psychosis is a condition that does not directly cause signs and symptoms. Generally, this condition gets worse over time, especially if you don't get special treatment right away.

The signs and symptoms that you need to be aware of from psychosis are:

1. Symptoms before psychosis appear

Before the sufferer actually experiences psychosis, the sufferer begins to feel some changes, especially in the way they think and understand about the world. You or a family member might notice changes in the following:

• Decreased work performance at work or grades at school
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
• Feeling suspicious and unsettled around other people
• Lack of personal hygiene
• Spending time alone longer than usual
• Feeling emotions that are too intense
• Sometimes don't feel any emotion

2. Early symptoms of psychosis

When the patient starts to enter the initial phase of psychosis, the signs and symptoms that may arise include:

• Hear, see, or feel something that other people do not feel
• Believing or thinking about something, no matter what other people say
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• No longer looks after or cares for yourself
• Lose the ability to think clearly or focus on something

3. Episodic symptoms of psychosis

When the condition is getting worse and continues to repeat regularly, the sufferer will feel several symptoms such as:

Hallucinations

Generally, sufferers will feel auditory hallucinations, which are hearing sounds that shouldn't be there.

There are also tactile or tactile hallucinations, which are feeling strange sensations or touches that are difficult to explain. Another type of hallucination is visual, when the sufferer sees something or someone that is not there.

Delusions

People experiencing delusions have strong beliefs or beliefs that don't make sense and cannot be factually proven.

Some examples are sufferers believing an external compulsion influences their actions and feelings, or believing that everyone else will hurt them. This type of delusion is called paranoid delusion.

There are also those who believe that he has supernatural powers. In fact, some of them believed that he was God. This condition is included in delusions grandeur.

There may be other symptoms and signs not listed above. If you have concerns about the symptoms of this disease, please consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

See a doctor if you or a family member starts to feel distant from reality and people around you.

If you think that you or a member of your family will harm yourself or others, you should immediately take him to a mental hospital to prevent worse things.

Each sufferer's body shows signs and symptoms that vary. To get the most appropriate and appropriate treatment, immediately visit the nearest doctor or psychiatrist.

Cause

What causes psychosis?

Psychosis is a condition that affects the brain's ability to process information. This condition can change sensory perceptions, the ability to manage, and express information that is obtained and owned.

Although the exact cause of psychosis is not known, there are many health problems and habits that are closely related to the appearance of this condition. Some of them are a combination of social, genetic, psychological, medicinal and physical factors.

1. Medicines

Drugs, such as drugs for Parkinson's disease and seizures, steroids and chemotherapy, as well as illegal drugs (eg, LSD, cocaine, alcohol, amphetamines, marijuana, PCD) can also cause mental disorders, so that psychosis can occur.

2. Trauma

Traumatic events such as the loss of a loved one, sexual harassment, or being a victim of war can trigger psychosis. The type of trauma and age at the time of the trauma also matter.

3. Certain injuries and illnesses

Psychosis can occur if the sufferer has had a brain injury, such as an accident. There is also the possibility that psychosis is a symptom of certain diseases, for example in sufferers human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, malaria, stroke, brain tumors, and seizure disease.

4. Suffering from mental illness

This condition can also appear as a symptom of psychiatric disorders, such as:

• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Brief psychotic disorder
• Delusional disorders
• Bipolar psychosis
• Postpartum (postnatal) psychosis

Risk factors

What increases my risk of developing psychosis?

Psychosis is a condition that can occur in anyone of all ages and racial groups. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing this condition.

Having one or all of the risk factors does not necessarily mean that you will develop psychosis. There is also a low chance that you can suffer from this condition even if you don't have any of the risk factors.

Risk factors that can trigger psychosis include:

1. Heredity or genetic factors

In some studies, genetic factors have an important role in this condition. If one of the identical twins is suffering from psychosis, there is a 50% chance that the other twins will experience the same thing.

Individuals who live side by side with family members (parents or siblings) who have this condition are also more at risk of developing psychiatric disorders. Additionally, children are born with a genetic mutation known as 22q11 deletion syndrome at risk of experiencing psychotic disorders, especially schizophrenia.

2. Have had an accident

Injury to the head or brain can increase a person's risk of developing this condition. Therefore, people who have been involved in or become victims of accidents, and have suffered head injuries, are more prone to experiencing psychosis.

3. Have experienced severe trauma

Trauma that results from certain events, such as losing a family member or being a victim of rape, can leave deep marks on the brain. This condition is closely related to the risk of developing psychosis.

4. Taking certain drugs

Psychosis is a condition that cannot be separated from the use of illegal drugs, such as amphetamines and cocaine. If a person takes these drugs in excess, their chances of developing this condition are much greater.

5. Have or are currently suffering from a mental illness

In addition, psychosis is generally a condition that occurs when a person has suffered from other mental illnesses. Psychosis appears as a symptom of a mental problem or disorder being suffered.

Some examples of mental illness that are often associated with this condition are schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What tests are commonly done to diagnose psychosis?

Psychosis is a condition that can be diagnosed by psychiatric evaluation. If you suspect someone has psychosis, your doctor will make a diagnosis based on your medical history, physical exam and psychiatric evaluation. In this procedure, the doctor will look at the person's behavior and ask questions about himself.

In addition, the doctor will also perform tests to make sure there are no other medical conditions, including blood tests, CT and MRI of the brain. The spine will also be examined for infection, cancer or other causes of psychosis.

What are the treatment options for psychosis?

Neuroleptics are used for the treatment of people who behave in strange and unpredictable ways. Its purpose is to prevent the person from hurting themselves or others. These drugs include haloperidol and benzodiazepines which are drugs to treat anxiety (such as lorazepam, alprazolam).

Follow-up treatment depends on the cause:

• For illnesses such as mental depression or schizophrenia, you will need a psychiatrist (mental and emotional disorders specialist) on concomitant medication with antidepressants or antipsychotics;
• People with Parkinson's disease and seizures should take medication to treat the problem.
• Drug addicts (for example, alcohol, and other illegal drugs) need guidance and direction.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help sufferers (CBT). Cognitive therapy trains people how a thought pattern will cause symptoms. Behavioral therapy can help worry about symptoms and reactions.

Home remedies

What lifestyle and home remedies can help with psychosis?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with psychosis.

• You will need a psychologist or psychiatrist to monitor long-term medical conditions.
• Call your doctor if you feel anxious or depressed.
• Call your doctor if you hear voices or see things that are not there.
• Don't do drugs. Alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, sleeping pills, and anti-depressants can cause psychosis.
• If you experience auditory hallucinations or hear voices that other people don't hear (which aren't there), focus your thoughts on other things, such as reading, listening to music, praying, or talking to friends.

If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor to find the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.