The Types of psychotic disorders Major are schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, Organic psychosis , Postpartum psychosis, substance-induced psychosis, psychotic depression, bipolar disorder, and dementia.
Psychosis refers to a loss of contact with reality, where people have trouble distinguishing between what is real and what is not. This is called a psychotic episode.
Usually psychosis appears at the end of adolescence, around 20 years. According to statistics, approximately 3 out of 100 people will suffer a psychotic episode throughout their lives.
It appears in both men and women and in any race or culture. In general a psychotic episode is usually frightening, confusing and worrying for the one who suffers because it is a rather unusual and unknown experience.
12 Types of psychosis
The following list contains all those disorders that occur with psychosis.
1- Schizophrenia
The schizophrenia Refers to a type of psychosis where psychotic symptoms are experienced for about 6 months. They have a clear significant decrease in the capacity of judgment of the one who suffers it. Symptoms and duration vary from person to person. Among the symptoms highlights disorganized thoughts and behaviors, with delusions and hallucinations.
2- Schizophreniform disorder
This type Of psychosis is the same as the previous one, but it differs in that the symptoms last less than 6 months. The disease either completely resolves or may progress to other diagnoses, such as schizophrenia disorder or bipolar disorder.
3- Schizoaffective disorder
In this disorder , A person will experience both symptoms of schizophrenia and the symptoms of a mood disorder either at the same time or alternating between them.
4. Delusional disorder
At Delusional disorder Very strong and false beliefs are given. Usually hallucinations do not usually appear in this type of disorder. It is a disorder in which the psychosocial functioning is not usually altered too much nor are they notoriously strange behaviors.
5- Brief psychotic disorder
The psychotic symptoms in this disorder appear suddenly in response to a highly stressful life event, such as the death of a loved one, having been the victim of a violent crime...
Symptoms can be severe, but they are short-lived as they usually last between a day and a month. The person may or may not be aware of their behavior.
6- Organic psychosis or due to a general medical condition
This type of psychosis can occur as a result of physical illness, brain injury or epilepsy , Brain tumors , Trauma, infections...
A complete medical examination should be performed to rule out or confirm the type of psychosis. Among the tests that are used are the brain scanners or Electroencephalograms .
7- Postpartum psychosis
This can occur within a period of six months after delivery. It is usually part of a severe mood disorder.
Symptoms often appear Hallucinations Y Delusions (Especially religious), where they believe that their son is the savior of the world or that he is possessed.
Other symptoms are confusion, paranoia, mania, depressive mood, irritability or insomnia . They also usually have auditory hallucinations that can order them to harm the baby, a disorganized language and a loss of contact with reality.
It is very important to detect the symptoms of postpartum psychosis early in order to establish a rapid treatment and the safety of the newborn baby.
8- Substance-induced psychosis
Both consumption and withdrawal of alcohol and drugs such as Marijuana , cocaine , LSD, or amphetamines may lead to psychotic symptoms.
Once the effects of drugs or alcohol have disappeared the symptoms of psychosis are generally resolved.
9- Psychotic depression
It is a depressive disorder that is accompanied by delusional ideation and sensoperceptive hallucinations.
The types of delusions usually revolve around the depressive state that the patient suffers. It is the auditory hallucinations that appear most frequently, the content of which is closely related to the state of mind it suffers. For example: listening to voices that devalue you, or criticize you, can incite you to suicide .
10- Bipolar Disorder
He Bipolar disorder Is also known as manic depression, since it is a disease in which serious episodes of mania and depression . Psychotic symptoms tend to coincide with the State of mind That the patient has at that time.
For example if you are depressed, you may hear voices urging you to commit suicide, but if you are in the maniac phase, where your mood is high, you can make believe that is capable of doing incredible things or even believe Which are special beings.
11- Dementia
Also the psychotic symptoms can appear in the dementia, alterations of memory, or with the physiological deterioration of the brain, as in the AIDS , the Alzheimer disease Or a brain tumor.
12- Major depressive disorder
In cases of more severe depressive disorders, episodes of psychosis are not uncommon. He Major depressive disorder Is characterized by a depressed mood with loss of interest and pleasure in almost all activities for at least a two-week period. Among the symptoms there are sleep disturbances, change in energy levels, difficulty concentrating...
Symptoms of psychosis
- The mildest initial symptoms are usually: feelings of suspicion, distorted perceptions, depression, suicidal thoughts, obsessive thoughts, and problems sleeping.
-Changes in thought patterns, such as having concentration problems , Attention, hold a conversation, or remember things. This gives rise to a disorganized thought with strange connections between thoughts like jumping from one idea to another or not having an answer.
- False beliefs or also called false illusions. The person may be totally convinced that their belief is not shared by others, but even giving a logical argument, this says he can not change his mind. Examples of this type of belief are Persecution delusions , Of greatness or even believe that their thoughts are being controlled by some external force.
- Changes in perception: during psychosis people can hear, see, smell, even taste or feel something that is not really there. These perceptual changes are called hallucinations.
- Changes in mood and feeling: after a psychotic episode, people often experience mood swings.
Behavior changes: after the episode, people may behave differently than they did. For example spending more time alone, laughing at inappropriate times... etc.
Before any suicidal thoughts, a thorough evaluation should be done, in addition to collaborating with the family, as they may need support assistance in these situations.
Psychosis as a symptom often appears in some of the mental illnesses.
Causes
In most cases it is difficult to know what caused a first psychotic episode, although current research indicates that it may be due to a combination of genetic or social biological factors.
Depending on the cause that causes it, psychosis can appear quickly or slowly. After experiencing a psychotic episode, it is important that the person undergo a thorough medical evaluation to rule out any kind of physical illness that may be the cause of psychosis.
Treatment
Usually psychosis can be treated and many people have a very good recovery.
Research suggests that early detection will improve treatment outcome.
Therefore the sooner the help is obtained, the better it will have, although at the beginning of having a psychosis, people may feel confused as to whether such sitnomas will disappear alone. That is, they do not know what is happening to them and therefore they do not demand a treatment immediately.
Once a complete evaluation of the patient is made, it will be determined what type of psychosis is undergoing and its possible causes. Treatments generally consist of medications and psychosocial interventions.
Regarding medication, it is considered essential in the treatment of psychosis, as it relieves symptoms and prevents the onset of new episodes of the disease. Medications used to treat psychosis are known as Antipsychotics Or neuroleptics. In turn, they are divided into typical and atypical antipsychotics.
Among the typical ones used are: chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol or thiothixene. Atypical agents include: clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone. Although the side effects are annoying, they are not usually grraves. Side effects are: tiredness, dizziness, blurred vision, stiffness, swelling, constipation, weight gain, etc.
In terms of psychosocial interventions we have:
- CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy)
This therapy Has been shown to be useful in a variety of disorders, including those suffering from psychosis. It helps to understand the disease more deeply, to deal with it more effectively, to find new solutions, and so on.
- Case management
This type of treatment offers emotional support to the person and the family, education about the disease and its treatment. This type of treatment will help the patient to reestablish a routine again.
- Group Therapy
Group therapies are a great way to help anyone who has gone through an episode of psychosis because it helps with many issues of the disease.
- Supportive psychotherapy
After an episode of psychosis having someone to talk to is a very important part of the treatment to continue the recovery process, deal with the disease and get on with your life. This supportive psychotherapy involves meeting with the corresponding professional.