What is psychosis?

Psychosis refers to a series of symptoms that affect a person’s ability to distinguish between what’s real and what’s not. Research suggests that 15 to 100 out of every 100,000 people develop psychosis each year. 

It can be a symptom of mental health conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder or triggered by factors like substance use or extreme trauma. Regardless of its cause, early intervention is the best way to manage symptoms, cope with distress, and regain clarity and control.

Are there different types of psychosis?

Psychosis is a common symptom of multiple mental health conditions. It’s a defining feature of psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and delusional disorder. It’s also associated with mood disorders like bipolar disorder and major depression with psychotic features.

In some cases, psychosis can be triggered by specific factors, including:

• Drugs and alcohol: Drug-induced psychosis refers to psychotic episodes brought on by drugs, alcohol, or prescription medication. Most cases of drug-induced psychosis relate to ongoing substance use, with people experiencing symptoms during active substance use or the withdrawal process.
• Sleep deprivation: A severe lack of sleep can contribute to something called sleep deprivation psychosis. Symptoms typically start to affect people within 24 to 48 hours of not sleeping.
• Childbirth: Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious condition that impacts people in the days and weeks after giving birth. It’s associated with bipolar disorder and can cause paranoia, extreme confusion, delusions, and hallucinations.

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What symptoms might signal psychosis?

Psychosis describes a series of symptoms that cause people to lose touch with reality. Specific symptoms will depend on what’s causing the psychosis but may include: 

• Hallucinations: A hallucination is a sensory experience, like a sound or smell, that seems real but isn’t. For example, hearing a voice when no one else does is a type of hallucination. 
• Delusions: A delusion is a fixed, false belief.  For example, being convinced that you’re receiving special messages from the TV is a type of delusion. 
• Disorganized thoughts and speech: You may have difficulty expressing yourself clearly and logically. Examples include structuring sentences in unusual ways and answering questions with excessive and irrelevant detail.
• Disorganized behavior: This involves unpredictable or inappropriate behaviors, such as trouble following directions or managing emotional reactions. 
• Decrease or loss of typical functioning: This can include lack of energy, focus, movement, or motivation. For example, you may have previously been animated in your facial expressions but now make minimal expressions.

In many cases, people will exhibit behavior changes before psychosis even develops. Warning signs of a possible psychotic episode include:

• New and unusual thoughts, beliefs, and ideas 
• Decreased performance at work or school 
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly 
• Social isolation and withdrawal 
• Sudden decline in self-care and personal hygiene 
• Difficulty trusting other people 

Potential underlying causes of psychosis

Psychosis can occur due to a combination of risk factors, including genetics, brain abnormalities, and environmental stressors, like severe anxiety or trauma. As mentioned earlier, psychosis can be a symptom of a mental or behavioral health condition. It can also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, brain tumors, or low blood sugar. 

Long-term effects of psychosis

The severity and duration of a person’s psychosis will depend on what’s causing their symptoms, as well as their willingness to seek and stick to treatment. Some research suggests that 25% of people who develop psychosis will experience just a single episode. However, others will have repeat psychotic episodes that require ongoing support. 

Psychosis can make it difficult to complete normal tasks, like going to work or school, maintaining relationships, and taking care of yourself. For those who experience ongoing psychosis, it can increase the risk of: 

• Substance use disorder
• Cognitive impairment, including issues with memory and attention 
• Financial issues and/or problems finding and keeping housing
• Stress, shame, and self-labeling due to perceived social stigma
• Suicide*

*The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential support with trained crisis counselors. If you or a loved one is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, please call or text 988. If you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency or need immediate help, please call 911. 

How is psychosis treated?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), it’s common for people to experience psychotic symptoms for more than a year before seeking treatment. However, the sooner you get help, the sooner you’ll learn to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. 

Once you seek professional support, your provider will conduct a comprehensive assessment to help them understand your experience and identify what’s causing your symptoms. This may involve lab work, brain imaging scans, and a thorough review of your health history and medications. 

The exact treatment approach will depend on what’s causing the psychosis. For example, managing drug-induced psychosis usually involves a medical detox to eliminate toxins and control withdrawal symptoms. Treatment may even vary among psychotic disorders, with severe cases requiring hospitalization. 

In most cases, managing psychosis involves both medications and talk therapy. Medication is used to control symptoms of psychosis, while therapeutic techniques — like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — can help reduce distress and improve functioning. CBT can even be used to prevent a first psychotic episode and improve mental well-being in people who are considered high risk for psychosis.

Social support from family, friends, and support groups can play an essential role in managing psychosis. Your provider may also suggest lifestyle changes, such as getting enough sleep, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and minimizing stress through activities like meditation and exercise.

Find care with Rula

Whether you’ve experienced a single psychotic episode or have ongoing psychosis, your symptoms may be confusing and overwhelming. The good news is that mental health treatment can help people manage distress, cope with symptoms, and improve functioning. 

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best. 

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

Get started with Rula today