So, it's World Mental Health Day today. I feel like it's important to talk about psychosis, as it doesn't get discussed as much as depression and anxiety. As many as 3 in 100 people will experience some form of psychosis at some point in their lives. Psychosis can be a symptom of things like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression, but it can also be caused by things like lack of sleep, certain medical conditions, or drug use.
So what exactly is psychosis? There are 3 main components to a psychotic episode: hallucinations, delusions, and disorganised thinking. Hallucinations effect the senses. You might see, hear, or even taste, smell, or feel something that isn't there. Delusions are fixed beliefs that aren't true, but feel very real to the person experiencing them. There are different types of delusions, for example you might think you are someone very important (grandeur), that there is a conspiracy against you (persecutory) or that there are hidden messages in newscasts or licence plates (reference). These are just examples, and there are many different types. Disorganised thinking consists of racing thoughts and flight of ideas. Your thoughts might move so fast that they seem overwhelming, and you make connections between things that aren't connected at all.
If all of this sounds a bit scary, that's because it may very well be for the person experiencing it. Some people experience pleasant hallucinations, but in my personal experience they are few and far between. Psychosis is different for everyone, though. You can't really know what one person's experience of it will be unless they tell you.
Psychosis is usually treated with antipsychotic medications and talking therapy or cbt.
There is a lot of stigma surrounding psychosis, and portrayals in the media of us as violent killers does not help. The majority of people with psychosis do not become violent. Hopefully better representation in the media and things like World Mental Health Day can help people to understand us a little better.
I will leave you all here with this. Hydrate, get enough rest, take your meds and be kind to each other.
