The abnormal behaviors seen in psychosis significantly affect the life of the person and the people around him. Three out of every hundred people experience a psychotic episode in their lifetime. Like other illnesses, psychosis is treatable and can happen to anyone. Psychosis does not discriminate against gender, race, social class or culture.
What is Psychosis?
Psychosis seriously disrupts the functioning of a person's brain. It is a situation where it is broken. This condition affects the person's thoughts, perception, emotions and behavior.
Warning symptoms include:
Social isolation and withdrawal
Strange conversations or thoughts
Skepticism: constantly questioning others' behavior
Depersonalization
Drug or alcohol use
Reluctance
unreasonable laughter
Insomnia or excessive sleep
Not paying attention to their physical appearance, poor personal hygiene
What is a hallucination?
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It is the perception of things that do not actually exist. There are 5 types of hallucinations:
Vision: the person with psychosis may see colours, shapes and imaginary people and animals.
Sounds: the person with psychosis is angry or angry. He/she may also hear mocking sounds.
Touch: Like insects crawling on their skin
Smell: Strange or unpleasant odor
Taste: A persistent unpleasant taste in the mouth
Lack of Insight:
Patients with psychosis are almost never aware that their behavior is strange. Maybe they can understand that other people's behavior is strange, but they cannot evaluate their own behavior.
Risk of Suicide
One in three people with psychosis attempts suicide. . However, people with psychosis do not share these thoughts with others. Sometimes the commanding voices they hear can also cause them to attempt suicide.
Tips for Family Members
Communicate clearly
If necessary, repeat what you say and wait patiently for an answer
Tell him step by step what you want him to do. Do it.
Sometimes, only family and close people can notice strange behavior. Therefore, it is beneficial for the family to provide detailed information.
Especially for a patient leaving the hospital, it is necessary to make sure that he/she adapts to the treatment. Stopping using medications or not going to check-ups may cause psychotic symptoms to return.
Encouraging the patient to receive treatment positively affects recovery.
According to psychotic patients, their delusions and hallucinations are real. It is very important not to challenge the thoughts.
It is important for the person who knows the patient to keep a record of what symptoms are observed.
In addition to treatment, family and friend groups can support the patient to regain some of his skills. It is important that the goals are easily achievable.
Side effects of anti-psychotic drugs:
Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Muscle tension
Restlessness
Tremors in hands and feet
Changes in speech
Weight increase: In this case, attention should be paid to nutrition and exercise. Foods that are lower in calories and will suppress appetite should be preferred late at night.
Increase in sleep
Tardive dyskinesia: It is one of the most serious side effects, but it is not very common. It is seen mostly in the elderly. Contractions in the face, bending in the legs and trunk.
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