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Psychosis symptoms vary, but common ones include hallucinations, delusions, personality changes, mood swings, and depression. Psychotic disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are diagnosed by medical professionals using the DSM. Seeking professional help is crucial.
It can be a bit difficult to pin down a comprehensive list of symptoms of psychosis as a lot depends on the individual and the precise problem one is experiencing, but some of the more common ones include hallucinations, delusions and profound personality changes. Mood swings and depressive episodes are also often included. Most medical and mental health professionals discuss symptoms in terms of specific psychotic episodes and disorders. While it is not technically incorrect to lump people suffering from various mental disorders under the broad umbrella of psychosis, this is increasingly seen as too general and outdated. Additionally, looking at disorders individually can provide a more meaningful context in which to discuss specific symptoms.
Vocabulary problems
Psychosis is a term often used in colloquial conversation and in the media and tends to generate a lot of attention. Fictional detectives on a TV show might be trying to figure out the next move of a killer suffering from a strange psychosis, for example, or a popular teen magazine might include a quiz for readers to determine if their crush is too crazy to play. date him because he or she “is psychotic.” Perhaps for this reason, in the modern psychiatric community, the term “psychosis” is not usually considered a clinical term as it may have been decades ago. In most studies and literature, it has been replaced by other more specific words that indicate defined conditions.
Psychotic disorders in general
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are two of the most commonly diagnosed psychotic disorders in most parts of the world. A serious condition known as ‘psychotic depression’ can also develop in some people. Sometimes these types of problems are genetic or can result from hormonal fluctuations or intense environmental stress. In some cases they can also be triggered by cancers, particularly those affecting the brain, and can be exacerbated or worsened by drug and alcohol use. For most people, the first symptoms that both they and those around them notice are some of the first signs of an ailment.
Hallucinations and delusions
Hallucinations, which are sensory experiences that exist only in the mind, are often considered “classic” symptoms, although the specifics can vary greatly from person to person. Most hallucinations are things sufferers actually see and experience — images of people, sights, and sometimes even sounds and smells — that don’t actually exist outside their mind.
Delusions, which are false beliefs caused by mental or physical illnesses, are often closely related. People who suffer from psychotic delusions are often convinced that certain things will or will happen. In many cases these beliefs are quite paranoid; people are certain they are being followed when they are not, for example, or believe their thoughts are being filtered and scrutinized by other people or government entities.
Personality changes
Sufferers also often experience changes in their personality and behavior patterns. In particular, the speech and general social behavior of someone with a psychotic disorder can be disorganized and even hostile, and is usually a sign of distorted thought processes that lack a rational basis. The person may also exhibit catatonia, which is a stupor that results in unresponsiveness and often includes extreme muscle stiffness or flexibility.
Mood swings and depression
Symptoms also often include wild changes in mood and extreme emotional ups and downs. People can be utterly euphoric one moment, then nearly suicidal the next, often with little or no warning. This can go on for days or weeks at a time and often leaves viewers unsure of what to expect.
How to get help
In almost all cases, the symptoms of psychosis should only be interpreted by trained medical professionals. These medical professionals include doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists. People who suspect that someone close to them may be psychotic should contact a professional immediately. Many hospitals have mental health helplines, and a number of community organizations can also provide help. Attempting to independently treat or care for mentally ill people can be dangerous and even illegal.
The exact psychotic disorder a person has is usually determined by a doctor after a thorough examination, often using a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and is the standard text consulted by psychiatrists and psychologists in most countries around the world. The volume is updated regularly and contains diagnostic criteria for the most widely accepted mental disorders, including those considered psychotic disorders.
