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Psychosis is a serious but treatable medical condition that
reflects a disturbance in brain functioning. A person with
psychosis experiences some loss of contact with reality,
characterized by changes in their way of thinking, believing,
perceiving, and/or behaving. For the person experiencing
psychosis, the condition can be very disorienting and distressing.
Without effective treatment, psychosis can overwhelm the lives of
individuals and families. A person with psychosis may:
- Experience confused thoughts
- Feel their thoughts have sped up or slowed down
- Feel preoccupied with unusual ideas
- Believe that others can manipulate their thoughts; or that
they can manipulate the thoughts of others
- Perceive voices or visions that no one else can hear or see
- Feel “changed” in some way
- Act differently than they usually would
Sometimes psychosis emerges gradually over time, so that in the
early stages symptoms might be dismissed or ignored. Other times,
symptoms appear suddenly and are very obvious to the individual
and those around them. Symptoms vary from person to person and can
change over time. The initial experience of psychotic symptoms is
known as the “first episode” of psychosis.
It is important to pay attention to possible symptoms and
seek help early.
Psychosis:
- Is a common medical condition affecting 3% of the population
- Results from a disruption in brain functioning
- Can radically alter a person’s thoughts, beliefs,
perceptions and behaviour
- Affects males and females equally
- Tends to emerge during adolescence and young adulthood
- Is more likely to occur in families with a history of
serious mental illness
- Can be effectively treated
If you suspect psychosis, don’t ignore it. Treatment is most
effective when it is started early. With proper treatment, most
people recover fully from the first episode of psychosis. For
many, the first episode is also the last.
Acknowledgement: Excerpts from the “What is
Psychosis?” brochure produced by the Youth and Mental Illness:
Early Intervention Project, an initiative of the CMHA National
Office.
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