Psychotic illnesses affect cognition, perception, reasoning, and decision-making. Causes include drugs, secondary disorders, and psychiatric disorders. Diagnosis is based on delusional beliefs, hallucinations, and thinking disorders. Treatment varies based on severity and may include counseling, medication, or hospitalization.
A psychotic illness, also known as psychosis, is a medical condition that affects an individual’s cognition, perception, reasoning, and decision-making ability. Psychotic illnesses have a range of causes, from genetics to legal and illegal drugs. Symptoms vary; the presentation and progression of symptoms is crucial in the diagnostic process. Treatment depends on the disease and its severity.
There are three main causes of psychosis: illegal and legal drugs, secondary disorders affecting brain function, and psychiatric disorders. The first cause is the most controversial. Researchers disagree on whether the use of illegal drugs causes psychosis or arouses symptoms of a pre-existing mental condition. Secondary disorders are other diseases such as cancer or Lyme disease that affect mental functioning. Finally, psychiatric disorders are those that originate in the brain due to one’s genetics; schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and clinical depression are just a few examples.
Syphilis is an example of a secondary disorder that causes psychosis. Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, affects the brain in its later stages. A patient may experience seizures as the disease destroys his central nervous system. Other neurological symptoms include decreased range of motion and extreme pain in the legs.
Another example of a psychiatric disorder is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Once known as shell shock, it develops in patients who have experienced a traumatic event. Fighting in war and witnessing a murder are just two of the many events that can cause PTSD. Patients experience flashbacks and dreams that make them relive the traumatic event. Even years later, unassuming triggers like hearing a loud noise or accidentally bumping into someone can cause flashbacks.
While many illnesses fall into the category of psychoses, each illness has one or a combination of three characteristics: delusional beliefs, hallucinations, and a thinking disorder. The interpretation of these symptoms allows doctors and psychologists to diagnose the particular psychotic illness. Diagnosis can sometimes be difficult, as many diseases tend to share or have similar symptoms. Patients or relatives of patients must be prepared for a sometimes lengthy diagnostic process.
Treatment of a psychotic illness depends on the illness and its severity. Some illnesses may only require counseling sessions while the patient goes about their normal life. For severe cases, medications may be needed, especially if a patient has bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. If the condition is extreme, admission to a psychiatric hospital may be required. These hospitals provide many services such as a personalized program, medications and counseling.
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