2.+What+is+Psychosis?

Psychosis
Psychosis is a serious yet treatable medical condition marked by a disturbance in brain functioning that affects a person’s ability to know what is real versus what is not real. The individual experiences a loss of contact with reality, resulting in altered ways of thinking, believing, perceiving, and behaving (Fraser Health, 2011). The initial experience of psychotic symptoms is referred to as the “first episode” of psychosis. This condition can be very confusing and distressing for an individual. Without effective treatment, psychosis can overwhelm the lives of individuals and their families (CMHA, 2013).

Who does it affect?
- Psychosis is a common medical condition affecting 3% of the population - Affects males and females equally - Usually emerges during adolescence and young adulthood, between ages 16-30 - More likely to occur in families with a history of serious mental illness
 * Seems to affect women at a later age
 * Can emerge gradually or appear suddenly

(CMHA, 2013)

Signs and Symptoms:
- Delusions - Changes in thinking patterns - Changes in perception (hallucinations) - Changes in mood and emotions <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">- Changes in behaviour (disorganized) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">- Thoughts of death or suicide <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">- Symptoms vary from person to person and may change over time
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Unusual or false beliefs with no basis, eg: believing others can manipulate their thoughts
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Disconnected thoughts, difficulty concentrating, distorted thoughts
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Hearing voices, seeing things that are not there, experiencing unusual physical sensations
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Feeling unusually excited, feeling empty of emotion, feeling depressed, developing intense feelings of fear
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Laughing at inappropriate times, spending more time alone, unable to complete everyday tasks, lack of motivation

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">(CMHA, 2013)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Causes and Risk Factors:
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">- Drug use <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">- Urbanization <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">- Problems with sleeping <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">- Stress <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">- Physical illness <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">- Biological factors <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">- Genetic factors <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">- Psychosis is associated with a number of medical conditions including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and PTSD
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Dopamine and serotonin may play a role in how psychosis develops
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Persons with a family history of serious mental illness are at increased risk of developing psychosis

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> (CMHA, 2013) and (Fraser Health, 2011)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Mental illnesses including psychosis as a symptom:
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Schizophrenia**: A type of psychosis in which a person has some psychotic symptoms for at least six months, with a significant decline their ability to function.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Schizophreniform disorder**: A type of psychosis in which a person has some psychotic symptoms for less than six months.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Bipolar disorder**: The symptoms of psychosis for this mental illness relate more to mood disturbance than to thought disturbance. Individuals experience mania and depression, both of which fluctuate in intensity. Example: people who are depressed may hear voices that put them down and people who are manic may believe they are special.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Schizoaffective disorder**: A type of psychosis in which a person will have symptoms of schizophrenia and symptoms of a mood disturbance, either at the same time or alternating over time.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Depression with psychotic features**: A type of psychosis in which a person has severe depression with symptoms of psychosis without the mania associated with bipolar disorder.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Drug-induced psychosis**: The use of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, LSD, amphetamines and alcohol can sometimes precipitate psychotic symptoms. The symptoms of psychosis are usually resolved when the drugs wear off, but may require medical treatment.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Organic psychosis**: Symptoms of psychosis may appear as a result of a physical illness or a head injury.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Brief psychotic disorder**: Symptoms of psychosis last less than a month. It is usually triggered by a major stress in the person's life, such as a death in the family.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Delusional disorder**: A type of psychosis in which an individual has very strong, fixed beliefs in things that are not true (like hallucinations). However, this disorder does not usually affect one’s ability to function.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Posttraumatic stress disorder**: Type of psychosis usually lasting more than a month, and occurs after a person has seen or experienced a very traumatic event. The person may have flashbacks or hallucinate.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">(CAMH, 2012)

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Case Study**: “It was like I was having a million thoughts all at once and yet I was so disorganized, nothing was getting done. I was frightened and anxious because I felt someone was trying to harm me. Increasingly, I spent most of my time alone in my room doing nothing. I didn’t want to be bothered with friends or family. The television started having special messages meant only for me and I was hearing voices commenting on what I was doing. Looking back, I realize things just weren’t making sense anymore. At the time though, it seemed normal and I didn’t mention what was happening with me to anyone. Since getting treatment, I understand that I was experiencing a health problem called psychosis.” // (CMHA, 2013) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">In your opinion, which risk/cause factors have the greatest impact for the onset of psychosis?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Discussion Question: **