The word Psychosis elucidates a condition where the patient loses touch with actuality. He may hear or see things which are untrue and peculiar, but is absolutely certain about their existence.
Hallucinations and Delusions
Both are different traits that are frequently endured by patients with psychosis.
Hallucinations
A hallucination is a situation where you have experiences affecting your auditory, olfactory, visual and kinesthetic sensory perceptions, despite an absence of an external stimulus. The patient hears, smells, sees or feels things that are nonexistent.
Delusions
A delusion is a firmly held belief in contradiction to the reality. Even in the absence of any clue confirming its existence, the patient pursues it to be valid. A person may think that he is being chased or harmed by one or more than one person. He may have an exaggerated sense of self-worth, considering himself to be extremely proficient. Or he believes to be terminally ill, but in reality is absolutely fit and fine.
Psychotic Disorders and Psychosis
The term Psychotic Disorders covers serious illnesses or mental disorders, affecting the brain. They impair a patient’s critical thinking, communication, decisiveness, perception and action and reaction. Schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder. There are other psychotic disorders arising due to several reasons falling under the category.
Psychosis, on the other hand, is a manifestation and not a disorder.
Causes
Professionals have not ruled out a specific cause of psychosis. They believe that both intrinsic, as well as extrinsic factors, contribute. From various illnesses to simple triggers can cause psychosis. A few of them are:
• Mental disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.
• Trauma
• Use of drugs or alcohol
• Brain injuries, tumours or strokes
• Lack of sleep
• Medications
Treatment
An early intervention can prevent it from striking the normalcy of life up to a great extent. The recommended treatment primarily depends on the cause. Following are some options available to manage psychosis.
Medication
The antipsychotics help reduce the delusions and hallucinations. The type and duration of consumption depend on the symptoms.
Therapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy helps you identify the triggers leading to psychotic episodes and cope with the stress caused. Apart from this, psycho-educating people and families opting for therapies can benefit both the patient and the caregiver.
Hospitalization
Professionals provide supportive care and constantly administer patient’s medications and therapies in a proper setup.
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