Psychosis

What causes Psychosis?

There isn’t one identifiable reason why someone experiences psychosis. And there’s nothing to feel guilty about if you or a loved one is going through it. There are many things that can trigger psychosis, including different mental health conditions, physical illness and injury, abuse or traumatic experiences. Many doctors and psychiatrists refer to psychosis as an experience rather than a specific condition. 

Remember, everyone is a wholly unique person and what happens for one won’t necessarily happen for all. Whatever you are going through, it’s your personal experience and you deserve the space and time to be heard and supported through it.

Symptoms of Psychosis

There are three common types of psychosis and each one has a slightly different range of symptoms. It’s important to remember that if you or someone you care about is experiencing any of these symptoms, they will feel incredibly real.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations might include:

• Seeing things that other people don’t see: this might be faces, people, religious figures for example.
• Seeing objects that appear to be distorted or moving in ways that you wouldn’t normally expect them to.
• Experiencing sensations like tastes and smells, or feelings on the skin, that don’t have an identifiable cause.
• Hearing voices that others around you don’t hear. These voices could be helpful and comforting or hostile and distressing. 

Delusions

Delusions tend to be thoughts and feelings that feel extremely real to the person experiencing them but aren’t shared by anyone else. Some symptoms of delusions might include:

• Thinking that you are famous, a very important person or capable of more-than-human feats. These are sometimes called ‘delusions of grandeur’.
• Thinking that you are in grave danger, that something or someone is watching you or ‘out to get you’. These are often called  ‘persecutory’ or ‘paranoid delusions’.

Disorganised thinking or speech

Disorganised thinking is sometimes called ‘formal thought disorder’. It refers to a collection of symptoms such as:

• Racing thoughts that go through your mind so fast that they may feel out of control and you cannot keep track of them.
• Fleeting ideas that come thick and fast and might feel as if they are all connected even if those around you aren’t able to see the links between them.
• Fast speech that almost stumbles over itself as you try to get the words out as fast as you are thinking them. 
• Putting certain words together because of their sounds rather than what they mean. This might make your speech sound disjointed and confusing.
• Switching conversation topics really quickly as your mind moves from one idea to the next in quick succession.
• Finding it extremely difficult to focus on one thing or stay with one particular thought.

Some people only experience one particular set of symptoms and others may go through an array of them. Whatever you are experiencing, we understand how real it all feels and know how valuable it is to feel seen and heard. 

Private Treatment for Psychosis in London and UK

At the London Psychiatry Clinic, we have a wealth of experience helping those with psychosis. We also provide compassionate guidance for friends and family. We understand that psychosis affects people and those around them in many different ways. Each person's experience is wholly unique.

Our expertise stems from an evidence-based, holistic approach. We will work together to develop a personalised treatment plan that works for you and your individual circumstances. It’s a collaborative pathway based on the NICE guidelines, compassion, deep listening and understanding. Together, we can work towards improving your symptoms and mental well-being.

To talk through the options available to you, simply book a consultation call, and we’ll guide you through all the ways we can help.

Therapy for Psychosis

While there isn’t a quick and easy treatment for psychosis, getting the right support can help you manage your symptoms.

There are multiple treatment options available for psychosis. Our experienced consultants will help find the best pathway for you. One that works with your specific needs and individual requirements. 

Treatment for psychosis will usually involve a combination of talking therapies, antipsychotic medications and social support. We may explore art, music, and movement therapies that can help you find ways of expressing how you are feeling. These might be especially helpful if you are feeling distant or detached from your emotions.

We also understand therapy can be daunting for some, which is why we offer online therapy so you can speak to our experts in the comfort of your own home. Our online therapy services also mean that no matter where you are in the world, we can help you.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis

Cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp) is an evidence-based talking therapy. It helps you understand how your thoughts, behaviours and emotions are connected. It’s a collaborative approach between you and your therapist that can help you make sense of your experience. 

CBTp explores different ways of interpreting events in our lives, often using a diary to track experiences, feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. For example, consider someone walking down the street who sees an acquaintance:

• If the person is feeling good, they might think, "What a coincidence! I didn't know you lived around here," wave, say hello, and suggest catching up sometime. They both then continue with their day.
• If the person is feeling self-conscious, low in self-esteem, or anxious, they might wonder why the acquaintance didn't stop to talk or worry that they are no longer liked.
• If the person is feeling persecuted, they might suspect the acquaintance is following them or has harmful intentions.

In all three scenarios, the same event occurs. Any of these explanations could be valid, although some might be more likely with additional context and information. CBTp helps explore different interpretations of events to reduce worry and anxiety. A CBTp therapist might ask you to imagine advising someone else who experienced the event to help you think through the situation differently.

CBTp specifically helps to destigmatise psychosis. It aims to create a deeper understanding and normalisation of your symptoms. This type of therapy also assists you in accepting your symptoms with the goal of reducing the distress they may be causing you. You and your therapist will work together to find effective coping strategies for dealing with what you are going through. 

Medication for Psychosis

Antipsychotic medication is often offered to those going through psychosis as a tool to help manage symptoms. The medication for psychosis has been extensively studied for its safety and efficacy. It can usually help reduce feelings of anxiety associated with psychosis symptoms, sometimes within a few hours. However, it’s important to remember that everyone is unique and some people may react differently.

Research shows that antipsychotic medication is effective in treating the first episode of psychosis, helping about 50% of people to experience significant relief from their symptoms within 12 months. We will always make sure you have the most accurate information regarding any antipsychotic medication you might be offered. We want you to feel fully informed and part of the process so you can make the right decision for you.

Psychoeducation for Psychosis

Psychological education (also known as psychoeducation) is a key element in helping to understand and destigmatise psychosis. By creating a deeper understanding of psychosis, we help individuals and families to feel more confident and engaged in a situation where many people feel very unsure of what to do. 

Find the best kind of treatment for Psychosis 

We understand that experiencing psychosis can be very disorienting and distressing. If you think you or someone you care about might be going through psychosis, know that you don’t have to deal with it alone. Our experienced team of medical secretaries are just at the end of the phone and will be there to help you find the best specialist to support your needs. 

Acknowledging that there might be a problem is incredibly brave and you’ve come so far already. All you need to do is call in and speak with us today. We are right there with you.

FAQs about Psychosis

What is a psychotic episode?

Experiencing delusions, hallucinations, or disorganised thinking is termed a psychotic episode. Delusions and hallucinations are the most common.

What is a delusion?

Delusions occur when individuals believe things that are not true. For example, a common delusion would be that an individual feels they are a very important person with high-level skills, they may be a king or queen. This delusion example is known as a ‘delusion of grandeur’.

What is a hallucination?

Hallucinations occur when individuals see, hear, feel or smell things that others around them cannot. For example, a common hallucination would be that someone hears voices around them when there is nobody there. The technical terms are visual, auditory, tactile, or olfactory hallucinations, respectively.

What is disorganised thinking?

Disorganised thinking is also known as formal thought disorder. It occurs when individuals struggle to talk with those around them. For example, a common sign of disorganised thought and speech would be that someone is unable to stay on topic and instead, switches from topic to topic when talking with someone. This is known as ‘loose associations’.

Are mania and psychosis the same?

No, mania and psychosis are not the same things. Think of mania and depression at two ends of a mood spectrum. Psychosis and psychotic episodes can occur as symptoms of either depression or mania.

Is psychosis a mental illness?

No, psychosis is not a mental illness in itself. It is most often a symptom of a mental illness. However, you can experience psychosis without being diagnosed with a mental illness.

What are the types of psychosis?

Hallucinations, delusions, and disorganised thinking are the three main symptoms that characterise psychosis.

What causes psychosis?

Psychosis does not usually appear without warning but is usually caused by a specific mental health condition, or an extremely traumatic situation or experience.

Psychosis is most often seen in those with schizophrenia, severe depression, or manic episodes (in people who have bipolar disorder). Psychosis can also occur in the first few weeks after having a baby. It is known as ‘Postnatal Psychosis’.

However, some medications, recreational drugs (drug-induced psychosis), alcohol, and some physiological conditions can also cause psychosis which is why it is so important to reach out and get help as soon as possible.

What does psychosis feel like?

A psychotic episode means that a person cannot tell what is imagined and what is real, which makes determining whether you are having a psychotic episode very difficult.

Both delusions and hallucinations will feel real to the individual. For some people it can be a negative, scary experience as their hallucinations may make them feel unsafe or at risk of harm. For others, it can be a positive experience as their hallucinations may make them feel at ease, for example, if they hear the comforting voice of a lost loved one.

What are psychosis symptoms?

Each individual will experience different symptoms of psychosis, but common reports of psychotic episodes include people:

• Being convinced they are hearing voices that others cannot hear
• Being caught up in their own world or thoughts, which are out of touch with reality
• Feeling isolated with their thoughts
• Being hypersensitive to their inner environment
• Having the unshakeable belief that someone or an organisation is spying on them or coming to do them harm, for example, their neighbours, the FBI, or religious figures
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Mistrusting loved ones and people around them, which can lead to social withdrawal
• Being confused, frightened, or scared
• Feeling grandiose

What are the early warning signs of psychosis?

There are a few warning signs that someone could be experiencing an episode of psychosis, but only a trained mental health professional can accurately assess whether someone is having a psychotic episode.

Here are some of the signs to look out for:

• Seeing, hearing, smelling, or tasting things that others do not perceive
• Seeing things that do not appear in photos or videos
• Feeling passionately attached to beliefs or ideas that the person cannot be dissuaded from, in spite of reasonable suggestions from family, friends, or doctors
• Detaching from friends and family
• Feeling suspicious or mistrustful of previously trusted people
• Coming across as very flat, blunted, or lacking emotions
• Neglecting self-care or hygiene
• Finding school or professional work extremely difficult to concentrate on
• A significant, unexplained drop in performance at work or in school
• Rapid speech or pressured speech
• Jumping from topic to topic
• Making connections in conversation that don’t logically make sense

How long does psychosis last?

The duration of a psychotic episode can vary based on its cause, for example, drug-induced psychosis or psychosis as a symptom of mental illness. Some people can experience one episode for a month or less before it resolves and doesn’t come back. Others may experience recurring episodes that can last for six months or longer.

How to treat psychosis

Psychosis is treated with one or a combination of interventions. Talking therapies such as Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are often used. Antipsychotic medications and some other medications may also be used to treat the symptoms experienced.

How to help someone with psychosis

If you think that someone is experiencing psychosis it is important to act quickly. As psychosis feels real for them, they may be frightened and scared but they may not acknowledge that they are experiencing negative symptoms. Therefore they may be reluctant to get help and the situation could worsen.

A person with psychosis is far more likely to hurt themselves than they are to hurt someone else. Psychotic episodes and psychoses are highly distressing, disorienting experiences for the individual. This makes it even more important that you support this person as best you can and seek appropriate help if you believe they are displaying any symptoms of psychosis.

If you're supporting a loved one with psychosis or schizophrenia, we also have some compassionate guidance and practical tips in our blog 'How To Help Someone With Schizophrenia: A Guide For Friends & Family'.