Traditionally, psychosis has been seen as a symptom of mental illness. However, this is not necessarily the case as psychosis is not always because of a mental illness. There are many theories about what causes people to experience psychosis.
What is Psychosis?
Psychosis is a term used to describe when a person interprets or perceives reality in a different way to those around them. If you experience psychosis, you may process the world around you differently to other people. You might see or hear things that others do not, or believe things other people do not.
Symptoms of Psychosis
According to the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), there are warning signs that may appear before psychosis develops. These can include –
- A sudden drop in schoolwork or job performance
- Trouble thinking clearly
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling paranoid or suspicious of others
- Withdrawing from friends and loved ones
- An influx of strange new feelings or no feeling at all
- A disinterest in personal grooming
- Difficulty separating reality from non-reality
- Trouble communicating
Causes of Psychosis
Each case of psychosis is different, and the exact cause is not always clear. There are certain illnesses that cause psychosis. There are also triggers like drug use, lack of sleep, and other environmental factors. In addition, certain situations can lead to specific types of psychosis developing.
In general, some of the factors involved in psychosis are –
- Genetics
- Trauma – such as a death, sexual assault, or living through a war
- Substance use – drugs like LSD and amphetamines
- Mental health conditions – like schizophrenia
Psychosis does not have many medical complications. However, if left untreated, it can be challenging for people experiencing psychosis to maintain a quality of life. This could cause other conditions to go untreated. Most people who experience psychosis, even severe cases, will recover with proper treatment, such as therapy and medication.