The word 'psychosis' is loaded with meaning and, more importantly, misinformation. Mental health has often been the subject of horror films and thrillers in which mental health issues such as psychotic episodes have been portrayed in a way which is far from the truth and potentially very damaging to those who are going through or have been through it in the past.
Knowing the signs of psychosis is useful in being able to help other people you care about access the treatment that they need while also being able to reflect and recognize it within yourself retrospectively.
This article will help shed some light on the subject which is all too often classified as taboo due to the uninformed nature of the way it is presented in the media, and help you to understand the issue with better clarity.
The symptoms
To begin to detach from the type of psychosis that is portrayed in films and television shows, you need to gain a deeper understanding of the real potential signs of psychosis that are worth looking out for and giving some thought to, such as:
- Inability to concentrate
- Sleeping too much or not enough at night
- A depressive mood that often is persistent
- Suspicious of people around them to the extent of clinical paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Suicidal thoughts
Essential, being in a psychosis state of mind is defined as an impaired relationship to reality that can cause confusing or irrational behavior from the person going through the episode. This can mean having delusional thoughts that defy any and all evidence that is put in front of them.
What can be done?
Once you know that there is a problem, the best thing you can do for this person is getting them the help that they need. Having a consultation with a mental health professional is the best way to begin this but, at the same time, start looking into other methods that could help them.
Tackling the problem head-on with ground-breaking therapy
Everyone will heal from a crisis of mental health is a different way which is why talking therapy is not a one size fits all method of dealing with psychosis.
One ground-breaking method that is being developed by Oxfordvr.org, is exploring how virtual reality (VR) technology can be used to deliver user centred cognitive treatments to aid the recovery of those who are going through a psychotic episode. The immersive therapies work by allowing the patient to experience situations in a safe and controlled environment and allow them to find reliable coping methods based on practical experience.
Finding ways to deal with the aftermath
Knowing what happens after a psychotic episode is useful in helping you be there to support the person you are caring for.
In the aftermath of a psychotic break, the individual can have some difficulty getting their grip back on to reality and have problems adjusting to their life as it was before. In these situations, you need to keep the person grounded and follow the recovery plan laid out by their mental health care professional.
