What is Psychosis?
Psychosis is a severe mental condition characterised by loss of contact with reality, typically including delusions (false ideas about what is taking place or who one is) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things which are not really there). Other possible symptoms include: disorganised thought processes and/or speech, extreme confusion and excitement, and unfounded fear and suspicion.
What Causes Psychosis?
- Alcohol and certain drugs can induce psychosis.
- Other risk factors include: bipolar disorder, brain tumors, epilepsy, psychotic depression, schizophrenia, degenerative brain disorders and strokes.
What Cures Psychosis?
Treatment varies depending on the cause of the psychosis.
- Care in a hospital is often needed to ensure the patient's safety.
- Antipsychotic medicine helps reduce auditory hallucinations and delusions and stabilises thinking patterns and behaviour.
- Group or individual therapy can also be useful.
