The information here does not replace discussions with your doctor or healthcare professional team. For more information, speak to your doctor or healthcare professional team.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PSYCHOSIS?
The symptoms of psychosis are sometimes separated into different types called positive, negative, cognitive and mood symptoms.
People with other mental illnesses including bipolar disorder (manic depression) and depression may also experience similar symptoms. Psychotic symptoms can also be caused, or made worse, by using alcohol or drugs like P (methamphetamine), other amphetamines, marijuana, hallucinogens and cocaine.
Positive symptoms "add" something to your experience of the world. They include delusions and hallucinations.
The most common type of hallucination is hearing voices that nobody else can hear. The voices can be like having other people talking inside your head, to you, or to each other. Some may be friendly, but others may be angry or abusive. They may be there most of the time, or just every now and then. Other kinds of hallucinations include seeing, smelling or feeling things which aren’t really there.
Delusions are beliefs which are totally real to the person who experiences them, but which really aren’t true. They can seem completely bizarre to anyone else - like believing aliens are trying to communicate with you - but this doesn’t make them any less real to someone with psychosis. Delusions can often be paranoid, like thinking you are being watched or followed, and that others want to harm you.
Medication can help control positive symptoms like voices and delusions, so that they become more manageable or even disappear completely.
Hallucinations and delusions are completely real to the person who experiences them. What must it be like trying to get through the day when you can’t be sure what is real and what is not? Imagine how confusing and frightening it must be. Your understanding and support can make a big difference to a loved one. Just being there for them and not judging is a great first step.
Psychosis can make you feel flat or unable to express your emotions so that it becomes hard to enjoy life. Some people feel tired and lacking in energy. These kinds of symptoms are often called negative symptoms because they have taken away something, like energy or motivation, which is usually there.
Negative symptoms can be hard for others to understand. They can be misinterpreted as coldness, rudeness or even laziness. It’s important to realise that they are part of the illness and deserve just as much understanding as some of the more obvious symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.
Because psychosis affects the brain it can affect thinking and the ability to communicate. One minute your head may be filled to bursting with thoughts, the next it may feel completely empty. Thoughts can get tangled up making it hard to concentrate. Words may become jumbled so they don’t make sense. It can be difficult to carry out normal tasks, even very simple day-to-day things like getting dressed, or making a cup of tea.
Imagine how confusing and frustrating it must be when your brain is in turmoil. Try to have patience and give loved ones time and space to communicate. Be understanding if they can’t do everything they would usually do, or need extra support.
Psychosis can affect emotions or mood, causing feelings of depression, anxiety, guilt, or irritability. Psychosis can make you feel withdrawn, or not wanting to be with other people, so that it’s easy to become isolated from friends and family just when you most need their support. Many of these feelings can be a natural consequence of having to deal with all that chaos inside.
Pulling away from others can be a symptom of psychosis. Often it can be an early warning that symptoms are getting worse so it could be a sign that your loved one needs extra support. Don't be afraid to seek professional help sooner rather than later.
