Psychotic episodes, characterized by a loss of connection with reality, can occur due to mental illness or medical conditions. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, slurred speech, and disorganized or catatonic behavior, and can lead to dangerous behavior. Medical intervention is necessary.
A psychotic episode can occur as a result of a mental illness or as a symptom of certain medical conditions. A person experiencing a psychotic episode endangers themselves and everyone around them. Knowing the signs and symptoms and seeking appropriate professional assistance can help ensure the personal safety of all involved. The most common signs of an episode include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, slurred speech, and disorganized or catatonic behavior.
Psychosis is characterized by a loss of connection with reality. During one episode, the sufferer is completely detached from reality and very often unaware of his actions. The specific symptoms that appear can be different from person to person. Likewise, each episode could come in a different form. In every case, there is a noticeable and marked change in behavior, and it can happen suddenly and without warning.
Hallucinations occur when a person sees, hears, smells, tastes, or feels things that aren’t there. The hallucinations can be mild or severe, but the sufferer believes they are real when they are not. When hallucinations are present, a person may start talking and engage in conversation with someone who is not present. The person’s behavior may change to accommodate the hallucination.
Closely related to hallucinations are delusions. While hallucinations affect the senses, delusions are false beliefs evoked in the sufferer’s mind. Delusions often lead to dangerous behavior that harms the sufferer or another person.
The hallucinations and delusions that occur during a psychotic episode can increase the paranoia and anxiety in the person experiencing them. When this happens, the person may feel threatened and rush into trying to eliminate the object of the hallucinations or delusions. Violent behavior is likely to increase if the person is confronted or questioned about their evolving behavior, especially if they are unaware of it. Some episodes are more evident from the person’s speech and movements. The person may start mumbling incoherently or yelling at another person or into the air for no obvious reason.
A person having an episode may become physically disorganized, appearing unable to control body movements and normal walking patterns. Catatonic behavior, in which the person freezes in a fixed position and is completely numb, is also common during episodes. The catatonic state can appear by itself, before or after other more aggressive symptoms. Psychotic episodes require medical intervention and treatment. Anyone suffering from or in contact with someone experiencing a psychotic episode should contact local emergency services immediately.
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