Psychosis is a mental health condition where a person experiences a disconnection from reality – hearing, seeing or believing things that other people do not. Anyone can develop psychosis, with men and women equally affected. Experiencing the symptoms of psychosis is often referred to as having a psychotic episode.
The three most common symptoms are:
- Hallucinations – seeing, hearing, and experiencing sensations that do not exist outside their mind, and can be very distressing. A common hallucination is hearing voices.
- Delusions – thoughts and beliefs that feel extremely real to the person experiencing them but aren’t shared by anyone else; for example believing there’s a conspiracy to harm them, or that they have special powers.
- Disordered thinking or speech – racing thoughts and ideas that come very quickly; resulting in fast and confused speech that make it difficult for people to follow.
Psychosis is an umbrella term and there is no single cause of psychosis. It is sometimes caused by specific mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression, but can also be caused by traumatic experiences, stress, substance misuse, medicinal side effects, or brain injury.
Psychosis can significantly impact the lives of those living with it, as symptoms can cause severe distress, alter behaviour, and significantly impair daily functioning and social interactions. This means that early intervention and treatment are crucial, and in the UK, NHS is developing specialised services to incorporate this into care. Treatment often involves a combination of antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which has proven effective in managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Compassion and understanding from carers and loved ones is crucial, particularly as psychosis and disorders related to it, such as bipolar and schizophrenia, remain extremely misunderstood and stigmatised in the media.
Further information and resources:
Recommended books:
- "The First Episode of Psychosis: A Guide for Young People and Their Families, Revised and Updated Edition" by Dr Beth Broussard and Dr Michael Compton - A practical and comprehensive book aimed at young people and those around them who might be experiencing the distress and upset caused by a first episode of psychosis.
- "The Myth-Busting Guide to Psychosis: Demystifying Hallucinations, Delusions, and How to Live Well" by Kai Konibear - A myth-busting book on living with psychosis, informed by the author’s lived experience and his interviews with others living with the condition.
- "Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness" by Susannah Calahan – The journalist and author chronicles her sudden and dramatic experience of psychosis, her hunt for a diagnosis, and how it affected her identity.
