Posted: July 05 2021
Affecting the way the brain perceives and processes information, psychosis can lead to hallucinations and delusional thoughts - a frightening and confusing experience. It can occur for a number of reasons, but it is a state that is often associated with a mental illness.
Dr Michael Musker, Senior Research Fellow for Mental Health and Wellbeing at SAHMRI says that although it can mean a person loses insight into what is happening to them, some people can live successful and fulfilling lives whilst living with a psychotic type disorder.
Psychosis affects people in different ways, and Dr Musker says that not everyone will have the same symptoms.
Dr Musker says that a typical psychotic symptom is believing that people can read your thoughts, or that others are influencing the way your body is behaving.
“When delusions are combined with auditory hallucinations (usually external voices that confirm these beliefs) then this can mess with your hold on reality,” Dr Musker says.
Some typical symptoms may include:
Psychotic disorders are considered to be of genetic origin and science is honing in on the specific genes responsible. The genetic code only creates a risk of getting the disorder in what is called a ‘predisposition’. It is the interaction between a gene and lifestyle factors which generates the disorder.
"Psychosis is not necessarily an illness of itself," Dr Musker says. “It is usually associated with the symptoms of a mental or physical illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or psychotic depression, a brain disease or tumour, or some kinds of dementia. It can also be induced by drug abuse, particularly methamphetamines or cannabis, or in some cases by a very stressful event in someone’s life."
Psychosis can be supported by a combination of medications and therapy. Because it is often a sign of a more serious illness, it is important that anyone suffering from psychosis seeks medical support and guidance.
“If you think you or someone you know may be suffering psychosis, it is important to seek medical help or to speak with someone about how you are feeling," Dr Musker says. "The earlier the intervention, the more positive the outcomes are likely to be. A good doctor, psychiatrist or therapist will be able to help you understand what is going on, provide reassurance, and help you through what may be a frightening experience."
Headspace | Headspace has a range of services and support material on psychosis, particularly related to the identification and treatment of psychosis in young people. |
SANE Australia | SANE Australia has an in-depth guide on psychosis and how a psychotic episode works. |
ReachOut | ReachOut has useful information to help people better understand psychosis and what you can do if you experience a psychotic episode. |
Lifeline | Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for an anonymous chat with another support person. |
Australia Hearing Voices Network | Australia Hearing Voices Network has a range of online forums and support for people who live with hearing voices. |
Reviewed by Sarah Davies, registered psychologist.
Posted: July 05 2021
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© Copyright Health Partners. 2024 All Rights Reserved.
Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.
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