Psychosis: a break with reality

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/