People often get psychosis wrong when it comes to mental health problems. The media often makes it sound dramatic, but there are many subtleties to think about. People and their loved ones who are dealing with psychosis often want to know what it is. How can someone tell when they are starting to feel sick? Will it go away?
This article goes into detail about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of psychosis in order to help people who may be suffering and to shed light on the disorder.
What Is Psychosis?
At its most basic level, psychosis is a mental state in which a person loses touch with what is real. This could mean:
- Hallucinations – when you see, hear, or feel things that aren’t there.
- Delusions – strong false beliefs, like thinking that other people are out to get you.
- Disorganized thinking – means having trouble following conversations or staying focused.
So, what is psychosis? In short, it’s not one illness; it’s a symptom that can happen for a number of reasons, such as mental health problems, medical problems, or drug use.
What Are the Early Warning Signs of Psychosis?
A lot of families want to know what the first signs of psychosis are. Finding them quickly can have a big effect on treatment and recovery.
Early warning signs include:
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Decline in school or work performance
- Increased suspicion or paranoia
- Speech that is strange or hard to understand
- Problems telling the difference between what’s real and what’s not
- Changes in mood that happen quickly, like being irritable or anxious
The first signs of psychosis are often very small. Before the more obvious symptoms, like hallucinations or delusions, start, a loved one may seem “different.”
What Triggers Psychosis?
There are many things that can cause psychosis, such as:
- Mental health disorders – schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression
- Substance use – methamphetamine, opioids, marijuana, LSD, and prescription medications
- Medical conditions – brain injury, infections, or neurological disorders
- Extreme stress or trauma – in rare cases, acute stress can lead to psychotic breaks
- High concentration THC in marijuana products
It’s hard to figure out what causes psychosis. It is frequently a synthesis of genetic predisposition and environmental stressors.
What Psychological Conditions Involve Psychosis?
Psychosis isn’t a diagnosis on its own; it’s a symptom of several other conditions. The most common ones are:
- Schizophrenia – where psychosis is the central feature
- Bipolar disorder – psychosis may occur during manic or depressive episodes
- Major depressive disorder with psychotic features – severe depression can cause hallucinations or delusions.
- Postpartum psychosis – a rare but serious condition that can happen after giving birth.
What Psychosis Feels Like
Psychosis can be very scary for the person who is going through it. A lot of people say it feels like:
- Feeling detached from reality
- Extreme fear or paranoia
- Sensing that others are watching or controlling them
- Hearing voices or seeing things that others cannot
- Having thoughts race uncontrollably
For family members, it can be just as upsetting to see. That’s why it’s important to know the stages of psychosis.
What Are the Stages of Psychosis?
There are three stages that psychosis usually goes through:
- Prodrome (early stage): There are small signs of trouble, like changes in mood, withdrawal, or strange thoughts.
- Acute phase: Hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking become very clear. This is the stage when medical help is most likely to be needed.
- Recovery phase: Treatment may help lessen symptoms. But recovery takes time and needs help all the time.
How Long Can Psychosis Last?
The length of psychosis varies. Some episodes only last a few days, but others can last weeks, months, or even years without treatment. Chronic mental health problems can cause episodes that happen over and over again throughout a person’s life.
A frequent inquiry is: does psychosis resolve? The answer is often yes; many people get better completely with the right care. But if you don’t get treatment for psychosis, it makes it more likely that it will come back and cause long-term problems.
Can Psychosis Be Cured?
The cause of psychosis will determine whether it can be treated.. For example:
- Drug-induced psychosis may go away completely when the drug is no longer in the body.
- Schizophrenia-related psychosis often need treatment for the rest of their lives, but the symptoms can be controlled.
- Mood disorder-related psychosis (such as in bipolar disorder) may get better with regular therapy and medication.
Psychosis can be treated, and people can get better, even though it isn’t always “curable.”
Drug-Induced Psychosis: How Long Does It Last?
Using drugs is one of the most common reasons for short-term psychosis. Different drugs have different effects on the brain:
- Methamphetamine: How long does meth psychosis last? It could last anywhere from a few hours to weeks, depending on how bad it is and how often it is used.
- Opioids: How long does opiate withdrawal psychosis last? Usually a few days, but if withdrawal lasts longer, the symptoms can last longer.
- Marijuana: Does marijuana cause psychosis? Yes, especially when taken with strong strains. Even though symptoms usually go away, using marijuana can raise the long-term risk of psychotic disorders for some people.
- Adderall (stimulants): How long does Adderall psychosis last? Usually between 24 and 48 hours, but it can last longer if the person uses a lot.
- LSD: Can LSD cause permanent psychosis? Yes, but only in rare cases. People who are already vulnerable may develop long-lasting psychotic disorders after taking psychedelic drugs.
The good news is that drug-induced psychosis can often be cured if it is caught early and treated with long-term plans.
Can Anxiety Cause Psychosis?
Anxiety alone does not typically induce psychosis. But for people who are already prone to anxiety, long-lasting or severe anxiety can make the symptoms worse. Some people can have psychotic episodes that look like panic attacks or severe stress.
What to Expect After Psychosis
Patients and their families need to know what to expect after psychosis. Recovery often involves:
- Medical treatment – antipsychotic medications and sometimes mood stabilizers
- Therapy – cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and supportive counseling
- Lifestyle changes – stress reduction, healthy sleep, and avoiding drugs or alcohol
- Support networks – family involvement, peer groups, and community programs
A lot of people have problems and take a long time to get better. But many people can still live normal, happy lives after getting the right therapy and care.
Final Thoughts
Psychosis is not a crime that warrants a life sentence; it is a medical condition that can be treated. Even if the cause is something like mental illness, drug abuse, or stress in the environment, knowing the signs of psychosis and getting help right away can make a big difference.
The lawyers at Mozell Law Group know a lot about how mental illness can affect people and the law. Knowing your rights and what options you have may help you or someone you care about get back on their feet if things are tough.
