Psychosis is a general term used to describe a mental health problem in which a person has lost some contact with reality. Psychosis is accompanied by severe disturbances in thinking, emotion and behaviour. Psychosis severely disrupts a person’s life. Relationships, work and self-care are difficult to initiate or maintain.
The most common psychotic illnesses include schizophrenia and drug-induced psychosis.
Signs and symptoms of psychosis:
Changes in emotion and motivation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Suspiciousness
- Blunted, flat or inappropriate emotion
- Change in appetite
- Reduced energy and emotion
Changes in thinking and perception:
- Difficulties with concentration or attention
- Feeling that self or other have changed or are acting differently in some way
- A reduced or greater intensity of smell, sound or colour
Changes in behaviour:
- Sleep disturbance
- Social isolation or withdrawal
- Reduced ability to carry out work and social roles