EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH
Psychosis?
Psychosis is a mental health condition that causes people to have difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is not real. People with psychosis may experience hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking.
Need immediate help?
If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else — or if there’s any type of health emergency — please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
How psychosis might show up
Psychosis can be caused by many factors, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use. Treatment can help manage psychosis for many individuals and families.
Some of the symptoms of psychosis include:
- Hallucinations—seeing, hearing (hearing voices is the most common), tasting, smelling, or feeling things that are not there.
- Delusions—false, fixed beliefs that are not based in reality and can be paranoid in nature like someone is trying to hurt you or believing you have special powers
- Difficulties thinking and speaking—jumping from thought to thought or speaking in a way that is difficult to follow or understand
- Impulsive behaviors or actions, including withdrawing from family and friends and neglecting persona hygiene
- Negative emotions or behaviors that are a break from normal patterns (showing little-to-no emotion, talking less, or lack of motivation to do anything)
Need immediate help?
If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else — or if there’s any type of health emergency — please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Psychosis is typically treated with a combination of medication and therapy, including individual therapy and group therapy.
Frequently asked questions about psychosis
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Medication, such as antipsychotics, can help to reduce the severity of psychosis symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. Therapy can help individuals with psychosis cope with their symptoms, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and improve their quality of life.
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If you know someone who is experiencing psychosis, the most important thing you can do is to stay calm and supportive. Speak in a calm and reassuring voice and avoid arguing or debating their delusions. Focus on the moment and use simple and direct language, offering to assist with them getting professional help. Psychosis does not necessarily mean they are more likely to be violent. Some factors can increase the risk of violence in people with psychosis, such as substance use or having a co-occurring mental health condition, such as antisocial personality disorder. It is important to remember that everyone is an individual, and people with psychosis should not be stereotyped as dangerous.