Psychosis: The Basics and Where To Find Help

Psychosis: The Basics and Where To Find Help

What Is Psychosis?

Psychosis affects the mind to the point where there is a disconnect from reality.

When Does it Start and Who is Most Likely to Experience It?

It usually starts in someone’s late teens to early 20s but older and younger ages can experience it too. People with preexisting mental health conditions are more vulnerable to experiencing psychosis (extreme depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, etc).

What Does It Feel Like To Experience Psychosis?

People who experience psychosis have these signs and symptoms:

Paranoia and Delusions (example: extreme worries about someone watching them when in reality no one is)

Trouble with reasoning (is so convinced that it’s extremely difficult for people to help them understand reality)

Cannot sleep properly

Trouble talking/communicating with others

Stops self care

Intense Ideas (example: the devil is taking them)

Extreme anxiety

Emotional disruption

Cannot function

What Can I Do If I Or A Loved One Has Experienced Psychosis?

It is extremely important to have a good health care team to support you. This includes a psychiatrist, a therapist and a family doctor. There are medications that are being prescribed now that could help prevent it from happening again or to put a stop to it. If you or a loved one has experienced psychosis, please establish a health care team and consider taking medication to stop/prevent it from happening again.

Some people fear medication will make them feel numb, but there are different combinations of medications you could take that are right for your body. Everyone is different, so there is a good combination out there for you, don’t give up!

What Support is Out There?

USA: Early Serious Mental Illness Treatment Locator

Click on this link to find local resources to help support you or a loved one. You can type in your state, and have a title to search.

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/locators/esmi

Canada:

There are many places listed on this link where you can seek help in Canada. Click on this link to view

https://www.camh.ca/en/professionals/treating-conditions-and-disorders/psychosis/psychosis---clinical-tools-and-resources

India:

This link is specific to schizophrenia, but might help with psychosis as well.

https://recovery.com/india/schizophrenia/

If you don’t live in these countries, I encourage you to do some research on where you can find support.

Remember:

You are strong

You can overcome this

Things WILL get better if you seek help, even if you don’t believe that to be true

(Information paraphrased from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/understanding-psychosis#:~:text=Psychosis%20refers%20to%20a%20co

llection,real%20and%20what%20is%20not.)

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