Psychosis
In 2004 I suffered from a mental breakdown which was diagnosed as a psychotic episode. I achieved this psychotic state while I was on a trip in Amsterdam – I breathed in smoke at one of the coffee shops.
When I arrived home I experienced hallucinations and I had some strange beliefs. I even believed I was Jesus at one point.
What is Psychosis?
Psychosis is a word describing a group of conditions that affect the way a person thinks, feels and understands. Distressing perceptions such as hallucinations or delusions may be experienced by a person, and this may be accompanied by a reduced ability to cope with usual day to day activities and routine. These unusual experiences are described as an episode of psychosis.
Psychosis can affect anyone including men and women from all walks of life – it is most likely to occur in young adults in their twenties. It is quite common and approximately 4 out of every hundred people will experience a psychotic episode at some time in their lives. Most people make a full recovery from the experience.
How Does Psychosis Affect You?
Psychosis can lead to changes in mood and thought processing resulting in someone having unusual ideas. A person may appear to have some loss of contact with reality e.g. seeing or hearing things that other people cannot.
The influences of psychosis are:
1. Perception – seeing, understanding and interpreting reality.
2. Cognition – thinking processes, logical progression e.g. thinking that you are being watched.
3. Mood – emotions, sadness, elation, anxiety, depression, feeling detached or extremely miserable.
4. Personality – sense of self and identity e.g. grandiose thoughts and believing that one is someone important
5. Behavior – actions and response. Sometimes a person will feel they are not in control of their own thoughts anymore.
6. Movement – gestures, involuntary movements and posture e.g. sitting in one position for a long time.
People can experience the above, and because of this relationships and jobs can also be disrupted.
