CONDITIONS

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SUFFER FROM PSYCHOSIS?

Psychosis is a cluster of symptoms that can severely affect a person’s mental processing ability. Losing touch with reality is a common sign of psychosis which is often accompanied by delusions and hallucinations.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF PSYCHOSIS?

Psychosis can occur suddenly, and it can also develop slowly over time.

Psychosis symptoms are:

• Seeing things other people cannot see (hallucinations)
• Believing strongly in false things (delusions)
• Disorganised speech and behaviour
• Mood symptoms and cognitive impairment
• Being socially withdrawn
• Poor work performance
• Inability to concentrate
• Lack of personal care/hygiene

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF PSYCHOSIS?

A variety of psychiatric and medical illnesses can cause psychosis:

• Schizophrenia
• Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS
• Substances, such as, phencyclidine, alcohol, cannabis and stimulants.
• Delirium
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Neurological disorders such as head trauma and epilepsy
• Neurocognitive (dementia) conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SUFFER FROM SCHIZOPHRENIA?

Schizophrenia affects people worldwide, with a lifetime risk of 1%. It is a chronic mental disorder. The core symptoms include psychosis, cognitive, behavioural and mood changes. It is rare for children to suffer from schizophrenia, but some may display signs of the disorder at an early age.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA?

• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Strange speech (word salad)
• Disorganised behaviour
• Mood symptoms
• Negative symptoms include lack of motivation, being socially withdrawn as well as poverty of speech and thought.
• Impairment in functioning

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA?

There is no particular cause of schizophrenia, but researchers attribute the illness to genetics, a family history of the disorder, chemical changes in the brain and environmental conditions.

WHEN IS IT TIME TO SEE YOUR PSYCHIATRIST?

If you suspect you may be suffering from delusions, hallucinations and paranoia, then it is time to see your psychiatrist. Likewise, if you sense your work is deteriorating or interpersonal relationships are suffering because of your symptoms, see your psychiatrist immediately.

HOW DO YOU TREAT PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS?

There is no permanent remedy for a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia; there are, however, ways to manage the condition and prevent a relapse. Patients rely on lifelong antipsychotic drugs or, in some cases, injectables that last for three months before another dose is needed. As an added benefit, counselling contributes to a person’s healing. Through therapy, patients can develop healthy coping strategies to overcome their circumstances. Thus, therapy coupled with psychiatric drugs is an effective treatment for schizophrenia in patients.

Treating psychosis must commence as early as possible, after the first psychotic break. Managing psychosis is done to keep symptoms at bay and prevent it from affecting job functions and relationships. Educational enlightenment, therapy that redirects a person’s mood and antipsychotic drugs via pills and shots are forms of treatment for psychosis.

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