Most people associate psychosis with a disconnection from reality. In some ways, it is. Psychosis is defined as disruptions in a person's thoughts, which make it very hard for them to distinguish between what is real and what is not. These interferences are frequently manifested as hearing, seeing and believing things that are not real, as well as having continued, relentless, and odd emotional, thought, and Behavioral patterns. While everyone's experience is unique, most people describe psychosis as frightening and perplexing.

1. Understanding Psychosis: Signs, Symptoms, Causes andTypes
Most people associate psychosis with a disconnection from reality. In some ways, it is.
Psychosis is defined as disruptions in a person's thoughts, which make it very hard for them
to distinguish between what is real and what is not. These interferences are frequently
manifested as hearing, seeing and believing things that are not real, as well as having
continued, relentless, and odd emotional, thought, and Behavioral patterns. While everyone's
experience is unique, most people describe psychosis as frightening and perplexing.
In India, mental illnesses are not new. In fact, India has one of the highest incidences of mental
health disorders in the world with one in every seven individuals suffering from a mental
disorder. The total percentage of people suffering from mental health disorders is 14 percent.
Of these, nearly 1.5 crore people suffer from severe psychotic disorders.
Signs of psychosis: early warning
Rarely does early
psychosis or first episode
psychosis (FEP) strike
unexpectedly. A person
typically experiences
subtle, non-specific
alterations in thoughts
and perceptions without
being aware of them. It
might be challenging to
discern early warning
indicators from regular
teen or young adult
behavior. While these
symptoms should not
raise any red flags, they
might point to the
necessity for a doctor's
evaluation.
It is crucial to motivate people to get treatment for early psychosis. Families are most often
the first to notice the initial indications of psychosis and the first to bring up the subject of
getting help. Delusions, anxieties, stigma, and a general sense of unease can make it difficult
for someone to receive aid. Families may find this situation very challenging, yet they need to
approach a professional for the correct advice because the best chance of recovery comes
from receiving therapy early. Doing so can assist to lessen, stop, or even reverse the
consequences of psychosis.

2. These are some early warning signs that a family should look out for:
● a worrying decline in performance at work or in grades
● difficulty focusing or thinking clearly
● a feeling of unease or suspicion toward people
● declining levels of personal hygiene or self-care
● a great deal more time alone than normal, social isolation
● Having extreme, inappropriate emotions, or none at all
If a family notices any or all of the above of the above symptoms, then they need to get in
touch with a professional for help.
Symptoms of a psychotic episode
Psychosis does not set in suddenly. It manifests as FEP and gradually worsens over time if no
action is taken. A person suffering from psychosis would battle the below mentioned
symptoms in addition to audio-visual experiences especially when no one else is around.
● Tactile visions: Strange sensations or unexplainable passions
● Visual visions: People or visions that do not exist or are abnormal
● Visions: Beliefs that are not in line with general perception and which may not make
sense to others, like:
- Patients conducting themselves according to others commands
- Patients considering themselves as Gods
- Patients having super powers
Delusions
Lots of people have beliefs that other people may not understand or believe in. This is
acceptable. However, a vision is generally an experience that no one else shares, understands
or believes. The person experiencing a vision feels that it is real and has difficulty in negating
what they felt.
A patient might imagine that they are a very important person. For example, they may believe
that they are rich and important or that they can control the stock market or rainfall. These
kinds of beliefs are occasionally called 'visions of majesty'.
Some people spend a lot of money or take on a lot of debt while they are experiencing
psychosis. This happens because their sense of reality is affected. Some visions can be
shocking and can make the patient feel threatened or unsafe. For example, the patient might
feel that a commodity or someone is trying to control, harm or kill them. Such ideas are
referred to as ‘paranoid visions’.

3. Hallucinations
The word "daydream" comes from Latin and means "to wander mentally.” Visions are defined
as the "perception of an absent object or event." In nonprofessional's terms, visions involve
hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, and even tasting things that are not real. Audible visions,
which involve hearing voices or other sounds that have no physical source, are the most
common type of hallucinations. These occur constantly in people with psychiatric conditions,
including schizophrenia, bipolar and psychosis.
Causes
Experts do not know what exactly causes psychosis, but some known threat factors include:
● Genetics: A person may have the genes for it, but that does not always mean that they
will get psychosis.
● Medications: long-term use of some medicines may lead to psychosis
● Substance use: Use, abuse and dependence on substances like alcohol or recreational
drugs like LSD, marijuana, and amphetamines may lead to the development of
psychosis
● Trauma: Any kind of trauma like the death of a loved one, a sexual assault, or war may
lead to psychosis. The type of trauma and the age at which one experiences this
trauma also plays a part in this. Even traumatic brain injury may lead to psychosis.
● Chronic illnesses: Brain excrescences, strokes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, HIV
and some other chronic diseases may also bring on psychosis.
Types of Psychosis
Schizophrenia: This is the most commonplace psychotic disorder is schizophrenia. Patients
with schizophrenia struggle with hallucinations and delusions that last longer than six months.
They also exhibit social isolation and poor performance in school, home and work.
Schizoaffective disorder: Schizoaffective disorder patients struggle with the symptoms of a
mood disorder. This disorder may be depression and/or schizophrenia.
Schizophreniform disorder: Patients who experience symptoms of schizophrenia for less than
six months may be suffering from schizophreniform disorder.
Brief psychotic disorder: When a patient has only rapid, fleeting, and unforeseen occurrences
of psychosis, they may be battling with brief psychotic disorder. The occurrences associated
with this disorder are usually a reaction to a challenging or traumatic situation. These
symptoms last not more than 30 days.
Delusional disorder: Patients with delusional disorder believe in things related to real- life
situations but that are not true. An example of this would be being followed or plotted
against. Patients diagnosed with this disorder experience this disorder for at least one month.

4. Substance-induced psychotic disorder: Sometimes, people who use, abuse and are
dependent on substances may also experience symptoms of psychosis. This is called
substance-induced psychotic disorder.
Psychosis due to a medical condition: When psychosis symptoms manifest as a result of
ailments that affect brain function, the patient may be diagnosed with psychosis due to a
chronic ailment or a medical condition.
Paraphrenia: When schizophrenia manifests in senior citizens, it is called Paraphrenia.
The road ahead
If you or a loved one experience any of the above mentioned symptoms of psychosis, then
seek immediate professional help. Athena Behavioral Health is the leading addiction and
mental health treatment center in India. We have a state-of-the art center which is highly
confidential, safe and secure. Our team of medical experts customize the treatment package
as per the needs and requirements of the patient ensuring that they not only recover at the
center but are set on the path of healing for a lifetime. For more information about treatment
packages, WhatsApp 9289086193.
For more information, please visit: -
www.athenabhs.com