Psychosis occurs when the person experiences hallucinations or delusions. The psychotic symptoms are sensory or cognitive misperceptions that are not based in reality.
Most people think of hallucinations as being visual, but hallucinations can be auditory, olfactory, or tactile. A person may hear, smell, or feel things that are not present in the environment.
Delusions are thoughts that are not realistic. A person may have the delusion that their identity or purpose is supernatural. Paranoid delusions can be of being watched or monitored by the government or others.
Psychosis is a defining characteristic of a psychiatric disorder called schizophrenia. Psychotic symptoms can also occur due to severe depression or bipolar disorder.
There are different types of schizophrenia, largely categorized based on the types of psychotic symptoms the person experiences. For example, paranoid schizophrenia often causes delusions of being watched or monitored. Some psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia can seem random.
Psychotic symptoms of bipolar disorder are related to the depression or mania that the person is experiencing. Hallucinations or delusions related to depression are more unusual than suicidal thoughts.
Auditory hallucinations from a depressive episode can be voices telling the person to kill themselves. The person may have delusions that they have no choice but to commit suicide or that homicide will save the person from hell on earth and send the victim to heaven,
Mania causes hallucinations and delusions related to euphoria and grandiosity. The person may have a delusion that they have superpowers or have been chosen by God or another supernatural being.
Psychotic features of bipolar disorder are not common. Most people with bipolar disorder or depression will never experience psychotic symptoms. Some people may only experience psychotic symptoms when the mood disturbance is left untreated and becomes more severe than usual.
Treatment for psychosis typically includes anti-psychotic medication such as Haldol. If the person is resistant to taking the medication regularly, Haldol injections may be prescribed. Often, a Haldol injection is only needed on a monthly basis.
Once the bipolar disorder is stabilized, the psychotic symptoms of bipolar disorder subside. Hallucinations and delusions seem very realistic to the person while having a psychotic episode. During the time that the person is experiencing periods of psychosis, the person may have significant stress and anxiety related to the fear of losing touch with reality.
Most people think of hallucinations as being visual, but hallucinations can be auditory, olfactory, or tactile. A person may hear, smell, or feel things that are not present in the environment.
Delusions are thoughts that are not realistic. A person may have the delusion that their identity or purpose is supernatural. Paranoid delusions can be of being watched or monitored by the government or others.
Psychosis is a defining characteristic of a psychiatric disorder called schizophrenia. Psychotic symptoms can also occur due to severe depression or bipolar disorder.
There are different types of schizophrenia, largely categorized based on the types of psychotic symptoms the person experiences. For example, paranoid schizophrenia often causes delusions of being watched or monitored. Some psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia can seem random.
Psychotic symptoms of bipolar disorder are related to the depression or mania that the person is experiencing. Hallucinations or delusions related to depression are more unusual than suicidal thoughts.
Auditory hallucinations from a depressive episode can be voices telling the person to kill themselves. The person may have delusions that they have no choice but to commit suicide or that homicide will save the person from hell on earth and send the victim to heaven,
Mania causes hallucinations and delusions related to euphoria and grandiosity. The person may have a delusion that they have superpowers or have been chosen by God or another supernatural being.
Psychotic features of bipolar disorder are not common. Most people with bipolar disorder or depression will never experience psychotic symptoms. Some people may only experience psychotic symptoms when the mood disturbance is left untreated and becomes more severe than usual.
Treatment for psychosis typically includes anti-psychotic medication such as Haldol. If the person is resistant to taking the medication regularly, Haldol injections may be prescribed. Often, a Haldol injection is only needed on a monthly basis.
Once the bipolar disorder is stabilized, the psychotic symptoms of bipolar disorder subside. Hallucinations and delusions seem very realistic to the person while having a psychotic episode. During the time that the person is experiencing periods of psychosis, the person may have significant stress and anxiety related to the fear of losing touch with reality.
About the Author:
Sheila Wilson explains what are the common manic depression symptom and how to spot bipolar disorder in children in the early days. For details please visit her website to read on further.
