Different forms of Psychosis

 

Individual experiences of psychosis are different; however, when one has these experiences a diagnosis is usually given.

 

Diagnosis means identifying the type of problem a person has. The diagnosis will usually depend on things like: what caused the problem, the symptoms (experiences) and how long the symptoms last.

 

It is particularly difficult to make a diagnosis if someone is experiencing a psychotic episode for the first time. Because psychotic symptoms are not obvious or clear cut and users (people making use of mental health services) rarely volunteer these symptoms spontaneously, health professionals have to ask the client and his/her family a lot of questions.

 

The questions are part of the assessment process – the gathering of information.

 

Some of the common forms of psychosis include:

 

• Drug induced psychosis – psychotic symptoms can be triggered by taking (also by passive smoking) street drugs such as cannabis.

• Organic psychosis – results from damage of the brain following a head injury, meningitis, epilepsy or other physical illness involving the liver, kidney and endocrine glands.

• Brief reactive psychosis – occurs following a life event i.e. birth, loss/bereavement, marriage break-up, leaving home, starting work, falling in love or out of love.

• Schizophrenia – this is the most common form of psychosis. There are different types of problems experienced with schizophrenia; symptoms may vary from someone being moody and difficult to bizarre thoughts and behavior.

• Psychotic depression – symptoms may include hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that are not really there) or delusion (thoughts and fear), and in addition, feeling profound sadness and unjustified feelings of unworthiness.

• Bipolar affective disorder – also known as manic depressive psychosis. This mood disorder is characterised by alternating phases of extreme elation or excitement and severe depression. There are some periods between these phases when someone is well and leading a productive life.

 

All of the above depend on the pattern of symptoms and problems experienced and observed by others at that time. Over time, a different diagnosis may be given, as symptoms may not remain the same. Some health professionals prefer to think in terms of a range of psychotic symptoms.