Information Factsheet What Is Psychosis?: 2. False Beliefs

Information factsheet
What is psychosis?I
The word 'psychosis' is used to describe 2. False beliefs
experiences in which there has been some loss It is common for a person experiencing
of contact with reality. The person has difficulty psychosis to hold false beliefs known as
telling the difference between what is real and delusions. Delusions are fixed and firmly held
what is imaginary. It is quite common, 3 out of beliefs which others find strange. They are
every 100 people have an episode of psychosis different to beliefs the person would normally
at some point in their lives. have, based on their religious and cultural
beliefs. Often, a person is so convinced of their
Psychosis is associated with a number of delusion that even the most logical argument
different conditions which range from drug cannot persuade them to change their mind.
induced episodes to mental illnesses such as
schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder (often 3. Hallucinations
called manic depression) and severe depression. In psychosis, a person's understanding of the
The experience depends on the individual and, world may also be affected. People may see,
to some extent, on the diagnosis with which it is hear, feel, smell or taste things that are not
associated. actually there. Auditory hallucinations, where a
person may hear voices which no one else can
It is very important to seek help as early as hear, or visual hallucinations, where a person
possible when psychosis or a relapse of sees things which are not there are, are the
psychosis is suspected. Therefore, it is important commonest. These experiences may become a
to know what psychosis is and how to recognise it. part of the person's delusional beliefs.
In this factsheet we describe some common 4. Changed feelings

psychotic experiences, how experiencing The way a person feels may change for no
psychosis might affect someone and useful ways apparent reason. They may feel strange and cut
of understanding psychosis. In an accompanying off from the world. Mood swings are also
factsheet we describe how psychosis can be common and they may feel unusually excited or
managed. depressed. A person's emotions can feel
dampened and they may show less emotion to
What are the symptoms? those around them.
Psychosis is an umbrella term for several types
of experience. In order to describe psychosis it is 5. Changed behaviour
useful to group together some of the more People with psychosis may behave differently
common experiences. It is important to from the way they usually do. They may be
remember that not everybody will have every extremely active or feel 'slowed up'. They may
experience. laugh inappropriately or become angry or upset
for no apparent reason. Often, changes in
1. Confused thinking behaviour are associated with psychotic
Everyday thoughts become confused and can experiences. For example, a person believing
become faster or slower than normal. A person they are in danger from a neighbour or
may have difficulty concentrating, following a organisation may call the police or someone who
conversation or remembering things. This can believes they are in some way special may
result in people not being able to understand spend the day preaching in the streets. Other
them. These symptoms are referred to as examples could include a person who stops
'thought disorder'. eating because they are concerned that the food
is poisoned or have trouble sleeping because
they are scared.
What is psychosis?
Sheet 2I
How are individuals affected? Some studies have found that psychotic
When a variety of these different symptoms are experiences run in families. Having a family
experienced, people may react in different ways: member who develops psychosis may mean that
other family members are at greater risk,
They may become suspicious, depressed, however it does not make it automatic.
anxious, tense, irritable or angry. Substance misuse, in particular cannabis and
stimulants, can also trigger the development of
They may experience mood swings, sleep psychotic experiences in some people.
problems, appetite changes or be less able to
concentrate. The first time someone becomes psychotic, the
cause may be unclear. It is therefore necessary
They may become withdrawn or isolated and for the person to have a thorough health
see their study, work or social life deteriorate. examination including a range of investigations
to rule out other medical causes, and a number
It is common for others to perceive that of interviews to get as clear a picture as
something is `not quite right´. possible.
It is important to remember that psychosis is

Useful ways of understanding
treatable and that the earlier the treatment
psychosis begins, the better it is.
Many people, if put under unusual amounts of
stress could develop symptoms of mental illness.
Further information
Some people are vulnerable to developing
You may find it helpful to read the accompanying
psychosis due to their genetic make up or to
leaflet, Managing psychosis. Further information
difficult experiences early in life. The symptoms
on the treatments available for psychotic
can be triggered by emotional distress, trauma or
illnesses, including information for families and
memories of difficulties in childhood, such as
friends is available from Oxleas NHS Foundation
being bullied, neglected or the lack of a stable
Trust.
home life.
This factsheet was written by a multidisciplinary
There is evidence that some people may have
team including service users, carers, consultant
unusual experiences (eg hearing voices, having
psychiatrists, nurses and psychological therapists
unusual feelings) during times of stress and that
as part of the Information Prescription Project.
the way they react to these and the beliefs they
develop about them can contribute to them
September 2007 Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.
having a psychotic episode. Their patterns of
thinking and beliefs about themselves and the
world may also contribute.
Some changes in the chemicals in the brain

seem to coincide with the development of
psychotic experiences, in particular Dopamine,
but also Serotonin and Noradrenaline.

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Information Factsheet What Is Psychosis?: 2. False Beliefs

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Information factsheet

In this factsheet we describe some common 4. Changed feelings

It is important to remember that psychosis is

Some changes in the chemicals in the brain

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