Psychosis is a topic obscure and yet
fascinating that has been chosen by some tv show & film directors and
writers. One example is Alfred Hitchcock´s film Psycosis or the tv series based on the same character´s life called
Bates Motel. The term is usually
misused and confused with the neurosis´s meaning. The main difference is that
neurosis is treated psychologically while psychosis needs to be treated by
medicine, that is, by the means of psychiatry. A person can stop for being
neurotic but never from being psychotic since it is a mental illness. However,
there are some types of psychosis that are temporary. Most of the people who
have psychosis can not relate to other human beings and even result to be
dangerous towards them. Throughout this text, the definition of psychosis, some
symptoms and types of psychosis will be explained with the end of preventing it
or for acting responsibly towards it.
Definition
It meant originally any kind of
disordered mental state and thus a severe mental disorder that involved the
lost of contact with what is known as reality. Nevertheless, it is now defined
as the existence of delusions and hallucinations without insight, that is, with
no control from the subject as it usually happens with imagination or at sleep.
In addition, severe behavioural abnormalities such as gross excitement,
overactivity, psychomotor retardation and catatonia, as well. The definition
may vary according to the condition being diagnosed. For instance, in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR “thought disorder,
disorganized behaviour , and catatonia are considered ‘psychotic’ for the
purposes of the diagnosis of schizophrenia, but not for psychotic disorders
caused by general medical condition.” (Cardinal & Bullmore, 2011:1).
Some of the most common symptoms are
the changes of thinking patterns such as remembering things, while talking with
someone or concentrating while learning or doing a particular task. Others are
the unusual and false beliefs like persecutory delusions. Finally, when people
hear voices or noises that others can't
or even unusual physical sensations, in other words, hallucinations.
It is common for some mental
illnesses to present a psychosis spectrum as a symptom. It is difficult to
diagnose the exact type of psychosis at an early phase. The reason is due to
the unclearness of the factors that determine a specific diagnosis during the
psychotic episode. Should be the case
some of the symptoms have been experimented in several occasions, then it it is
the moment to consult with an expert as soon as possible.
Types of psychosis
The following list provides the
names and brief descriptions of different types of psychotic illness.
Schizophrenia
In this disorder a person experiences psychotic symptoms for
term of six months, with a significant decline in the person’s ability to
function. It differs from one person to another such as the symptoms and the
lenght of them.
Schizophreniform disorder
It is the same as schizophrenia
except for the duration that is less than six months. The illness may
completely persist and progress to other psychiatric diagnoses, such as
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder.
Bipolar illness
It relates more to mood disturbance
than to thought disturbance. A person will experience mood elevations (mania)
and sometimes depression, which may persist or fluctuate in intensity. When the
psychotic symptoms increased, they often reflect the person’s mood. For
instance, people depressed will hear voices that will decrease their mood. On
the other hand, if they have a happier mood they believe firmly on their
capability of doing amazing things.
Schizoaffective disorder
During this type of psychosis, a
person is prone to experience symptoms of schizophrenia and symptoms of a mood
disturbance, either at the same time or alternating over time.
Depression with psychotic features
When depressive, there are cases in
which a person experiences symptoms of psychosis without the mania associated
with bipolar disorder. This type of depression is referred to as a psychotic
depression or depression with psychotic features.
Drug-induced psychosis
Some people use drugs like
marijuana, cocaine, LSD, amphetamines and alcohol without knowing that can
cause psychotic symptoms. Fortunately, those symptons are temporary if the
person stops consuming those substances. Nonetheless, the symptoms themselves
may require medical treatment.
Organic psychosis
In this case, the symptoms are the
cause of a physical illness or a head injury. A thorough medical examination
should be conducted to rule out or confirm this type of psychosis. This
examination may involve some tests or investigations such as a brain scan.
Brief psychotic disorder
Sometimes symptoms of psychosis come
on suddenly and, in some cases, are triggered in response to a major stress in
the person’s life, such as a death in the family. This type of psychosis
usually lasts less than a month.
Delusional disorder
This type of psychosis consists of
very strong and fixed beliefs in things that are not true. Changes in
perception, such as hallucinations, are not seen in this illness. A delusional
disorder does not usually affect a person’s ability to function.
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum Psychosis is pretty rare
compared with the existent rates of postpartum depression or anxiety. “It
occurs in approximately 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 deliveries, or approximately
.1 -.2% of births. The onset is usually sudden, most often within the first 2
weeks postpartum.
Of the women who develop a
postpartum psychosis, research has suggested that there is approximately a 5%
suicide rate and a 4% infanticide rate associated with the illness. This is
because the woman experiencing psychosis is experiencing a break from
reality.Delusions take many forms, and not all of them are destructive. Most
women who experience postpartum psychosis do not harm themselves or anyone
else. However, there is always the risk of danger because psychosis includes
delusional thinking and irrational judgment, and this is why women with this
illness must be quickly assessed, treated, and carefully monitored by a trained
health care perinatal mental health professional.
Postpartum psychosis is temporary
and treatable with professional help, but it is an emergency and it is
essential that the woman receive immediate help.
Por Rani
Sources:
Cardinal, Rudolf
N., and Edward T. Bullmore. “Introduction.” The
Diagnosis of Psychosis. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2011. 1.
Retrieved from: https://books.google.com/books?id=wE3FXgW9gDkC&pg=PA3&dq=psychosis+definition&hl=es-419&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiTneC_yJnQAhUM52MKHVHJBngQ6AEIHTAA#v=onepage&q=psychosis%20definition&f=false
Centre, and Mental Health. “CAMH:
The symptoms of Psychosis.” CAMH.
2012. Web. 8 Nov. 2016. Retrieved from:
http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/health_information/a_z_mental_health_and_addiction_information/psychosis/first_episode_psychosis_information_guide/Pages/fep_symptoms.aspx
Centre, and Mental Health. CAMH: The different types of Psychosis.
2012. Web. 8 Nov. 2016. Retrieved from:
http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/health_information/a_z_mental_health_and_addiction_information/psychosis/first_episode_psychosis_information_guide/Pages/fep_types.aspx
@PostpartumHelp.
"Postpartum Psychosis | Postpartum Support - PSI." Postpartum Support PSI. N.p., n.d. Web.
08 Nov. 2016. Retrieved from:
http://www.postpartum.net/learn-more/postpartum-psychosis/
