Psychosis Is a Loss of Contact with Reality - Research Paper Example

? Psychosis Psychosis “Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality, usually including false beliefs about what is taking place or who one is (delusions) and seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations)” (Psychosis, 2010). “It is a common medical condition affecting 3% of the population” (Psychosis, 2011). Psychosis is the most severe diseases among psychological diseases. People with psychosis will loss control over their normal behaviors. They live in an imaginary world and may loss their connection with the real world. In some cases, psychosis patients may cause self harm and attack others. Suicidal tendency is more among patients with psychosis. It can occur as part of psychological diseases such as bipolar disease, delusions, depression, personality disorders, schizophrenia etc. Lots of reasons are cited for the occurrence of psychosis. Heredity, environment and some physical diseases such as HIV, brain tumor etc can play a pivotal role in causing psychosis. This paper analyses various dimensions such as causes, symptoms, treatment options etc of psychosis. Causes of Psychosis The exact causes of psychosis are still unknown to the medical science. However, psychologists and psychiatrists are of the view that along with biological reasons, heredity and environment also play an important role in causing psychosis. It is not necessary that psychosis is caused by one single reason. In many cases, more than one reason is associated with psychosis. Like most of the other psychological diseases, stress is associated with psychosis. Tough life situations can often generate intolerable amount of stress. Suppression of stress often results in emotional outbursts or catharsis in the form of psychosis. “Being born in the winter months, being brought up in a big city, immigration, childhood head injury, stressful life events and use of street drugs” etc are some of the environmental factors which can cause psychosis (What causes psychosis, 2004, p.1). Environment can condition or strengthen some of our behaviors. For example, a person brought up in a city may struggle to adjust with the poor living conditions of a rural area. The luxurious life styles of the city need not be available in rural areas. Sudden changes in living standards or life styles can develop frustration and stress which may lead towards psychosis. I have a friend who has developed psychosis when he got employment in a city. He was an innocent person and was unaware of the malpractices in the city. When he faced challenges from the crooked fellow employees, it was difficult for him to adapt with it and subsequently he developed signs of psychosis and forced to resign from his employment. Genetic factors can also contribute to the development of psychosis. Our brain receives and sends different information and instructions with the help of neurotransmitters, transporters and receptors. Genes, the basic building blocks of our DNA, instruct our body in the protein manufacturing process. Genes can commit mistake in the protein manufacturing process which is often referred as mutation. “When a mutation occurs in a gene that contains the instructions for a brain protein, like a neurotransmitter, it may contribute to a chemical imbalance in the brain, which is one of the factors in the development of psychosis” (What causes psychosis, 2004, p.1) Alcohol and certain illegal drugs, both during use and during withdrawal can cause psychosis along with Brain tumors, Dementia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, chromosomal disorders, HIV, some prescription drugs such as steroids and stimulants, Some types of epilepsy and Stroke can cause psychosis (Psychosis, 2010). It is proved scientifically that thyroid problems can cause psychological diseases. In short, heredity, environment and biological factors can contribute to the development of psychosis. Symptoms of Psychosis Confused thoughts, feeling about sped up or slowed down thoughts, preoccupation with unusual ideas, belief in other’s ability in manipulating their thoughts or feelings that they can manipulate the thoughts of others, perception of voices or visions that no one else can hear or see, feeling of a 'change' in some way, act differently than they usually would etc are some of the major symptoms of psychosis (Psychosis, 2011). Symptoms of psychosis can appear in different forms among different people. It is not necessary that psychosis occurs or evolved over period of a night time. In many cases, psychosis may develop gradually and the symptoms of it can be observed in the changes in the behavioral pattern of the patient. Psychosis can happen to anyone irrespective of the age, gender, culture or socioeconomic status. Since psychosis is caused by different reasons the identification of the exact reason is important in the treatment of psychosis. Treatments available for Psychosis Many people have the false belief that psychosis is untreatable and hence they will try to hide it. Psychosis will never disappear if untreated or taken precautionary measures. Early detection and remedy is important in the treatment of psychosis. Timely intervention with medicines and counseling can improve the life standards of psychosis patients immensely. “Optimal treatment of first episode psychosis needs to focus on the biological, psychological and social aspects of the disorder. Treatment needs to be comprehensive, individualized, and based on a thorough assessment of each individual’s situation” (Psychosis is treatable, n. d) The services of a psychologist along with a psychiatrist are necessary in the treatment of psychosis. Psychologist can help the psychiatrists in identifying the root causes of psychosis. Psychologists normally identify the reasons of psychosis after several sessions to free association with the patient. Once the root cause of the psychosis is being identified it can be treated with the help of medicines. Different medicines in the name of antipsychotics or neuroleptics are available in the market at present for treating psychosis effectively. The antipsychotic medications are usually divided into two categories: Typical antipsychotics which include haloperidol, loxapine and many others and Atypical antipsychotics which include risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone and clozapine. There are also other medications that are sometimes used along with antipsychotics, depending on the symptoms. For example, antidepressants or mood stabilizers may be used for problems with mood (Psychosis treatment, 2006) Psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are also used in the treatment of psychosis depending on the severity of the disease. For chronic patients, medicines are essential; however, after subsidization of the disease, psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can be started in order to educate the patient in how to manage his stresses and life problems. These therapies can bring the patient back to the real world from the self created imaginary world. Negative thoughts are the major reason for the development of stress. Psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can help the patients in managing their stresses more effectively. These therapies will help the patient in reducing their negative thoughts and increasing positive thoughts. Like all other medicines, psychiatric medicines have some side effects like: Tremor, Slowed down movements, Muscle stiffness and rigidity, Dry mouth Blurry vision, Constipation, Restlessness, Sudden muscle cramps, Tic like involuntary movement of muscles etc are some of the side effects associated with psychiatric medicines (Treatment of psychosis, n. d). However, when we consider the improvements in the life standards and other advantages, these side effects are negligible or manageable. Side effects of medicines can be reduced by reducing the amount of medicine used with the help of the psychiatrists. Conclusions Psychosis is a serious psychological problem which can destroy the normal behavioral pattern of the patient. It can occur to anyone irrespective of age, gender or socioeconomic status. Heredity, environmental and biological reasons can cause psychosis. It can be treated effectively with the help of medicines and psychological treatments. Early detection and remedy is more effective in the management of psychosis. References 1. Psychosis. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002520/ 2. Psychosis, (2011). Retrieved from http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=3-105 3. Psychosis treatment, (2006). Retrieved from http://www.psychosissucks.ca/epi/treatment.cfm 4. Psychosis is treatable, (n. d). Retrieved from http://earlypsychosis.medicine.dal.ca/index.php/2010/08/can-psychosis-be-treated/ 5. Treatment of psychosis, (n. d). Retrieved from http://www.hopevancouver.com/Treatment_of_Psychosis.html 6. What causes psychosis, (2004). Retrieved from http://www.psychosissucks.ca/epi/pdf/@causesPsychosis2.pdf Read More