Psychosis Is Real

We send well wishes to Kanye West and to everyone who is living with the symptoms of a mental illness. We are thankful that unlike so many other people who prefer to suffer in silence Mr. West, with the help of family and friends decided to get help. Temporary Psychosis due to Sleep Deprivation is real and treatment works.

Unfortunately some people do not seek out help because they think they can handle their symptoms alone, others are afraid of what other people will say and some people view their symptoms as a weakness.

 

Sadly, those that do seek out treatment have to cope with the stigma that is directed at them either intentionally or unintentionally by people in their community. But please understand that mental illnesses are common and they impact people of all ages and races. Not getting help for a mental health condition can only make your quality of life worse not better. To those of you are living with the symptoms of a mental illness there are people out here who care. Living every day with a mental illness is not a sign of weakness but one of strength…you are stronger than you think and with support you can make it.

 

While we do not know Mr. West we do know many people like him and they need our understanding and support. Please don’t underestimate the seriousness of a mental illnesses or overlook the fact that help is available.

 

What is a Psychosis? What is a mental illness?

 What is a mental disorder/Illness? A mental disorder or mental illness is a diagnosable illness that affects a person’s thinking, emotional state, and behavior. A mental health disorder disrupts a person’s ability to:

  • Work
  • Carry out daily activities
  • Engage in satisfying relationships

There are many categories of mental illness each represented by its own list of symptoms. Psychosis can be associated with several disorders to include: Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Psychotic Depression, Schizoaffective Disorder, and drug induced psychosis and sleep deprivation.

What is Psychosis?

The word psychosis is used to describe conditions that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality. When someone becomes ill in this way it is called a psychotic episode. During a period of psychosis, a person’s thoughts and perceptions are disturbed and the individual may have difficulty understanding what is real and what is not.  Symptoms of psychosis include delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear). Other symptoms include incoherent or nonsense speech, and behavior that is inappropriate for the situation. A person in a psychotic episode may also experience depression, anxiety, sleep problems, social withdrawal, lack of motivation, and difficulty functioning overall.

What causes psychosis? There is not one specific cause of psychosis. Psychosis may be a symptom of a mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, but there are other causes, as well. Sleep deprivation, some general medical conditions, certain prescription medications, and the abuse of alcohol or other drugs, such as marijuana, can cause psychotic symptoms. Because there are many different causes of psychosis, it is important to see a qualified health care professional (e.g., psychologist, psychiatrist, or trained social worker) in order to receive a thorough assessment and accurate diagnosis. A mental illness, such as schizophrenia, is typically diagnosed by excluding all of these other causes of psychosis.

What are the early warning signs of psychosis? Typically, a person will show changes in their behavior before psychosis develops. The list below includes behavioral warning signs for psychosis.

  • Worrisome drop in grades or job performance
  • New trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
  • Suspiciousness, paranoid ideas or uneasiness with others
  • Withdrawing socially, spending a lot more time alone than usual
  • Unusual, overly intense new ideas, strange feelings or having no feelings at all
  • Decline in self-care or personal hygiene
  • Difficulty telling reality from fantasy
  • Confused speech or trouble communicating

Any one of these items by itself may not be significant, but someone with several of the items on the list should consult a mental health professional. A qualified psychologist, psychiatrist or trained social worker will be able to make a diagnosis and help develop a treatment plan. Early treatment of psychosis increases the chance of a successful recovery. If you notice these changes in behavior and they begin to intensify or do not go away, it is important to seek help.

(Reference: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/raise/raise-questions-and-answers.shtml#1)

Yes, help is available and mental illnesses are real. Don’t let your feelings or thoughts cause you to overlook or underestimate the impact of treatment mental illnesses. When we overlook symptoms, those symptoms can get worse and the treatment for those symptoms may have to be more aggressive, require hospital stays or longer hospital stays. Need help? Have Questions?

 

For general information on mental health and to locate treatment services in your area, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Referral Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

 

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