MindMap

About Psychosis

Psychosis is a medical syndrome that can be diagnosed based on a cluster of characteristic changes in thinking, feeling, and behavior. During an episode of psychosis, individuals can struggle to differentiate what is real from what is not and may come to believe false explanations for their experiences.
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Psychosis impacts approximately 100,000 youth and young adults each year.

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3 out of every 100 people will experience psychosis in their lifetimes

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Who is at risk?

Anyone can experience psychosis, however certain factors can increase one’s risk.
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Individuals ages 16-35 are especially vulnerable

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Drug use

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Traumatic disruptions in key developmental stages of childhood

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Family history of schizophrenia or other mental health conditions

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Social or environmental factors

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Brain injury

Common Signs & Symptoms

A number of unusual experiences (symptoms) and behaviors (signs) can be present during an episode of psychosis. While symptoms can be subtle and expressed only to a trusted relative or friend, many of the signs can be observed before the individual is willing to acknowledge their need for help. When there is uncertainty about the presence of psychosis, reach out to us or a healthcare professional.

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Disturbances in sensory perception

Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling things that are not real. Occasional or persistent hallucinations that cause individuals to experience someone or something that is not there. Friends and family may witness individuals speaking out loud to no one in particular, or interacting as if they had company when they are alone.

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Confused thinking or speech

Trouble concentrating, connecting one's thoughts, or slowing one's thoughts down while they tend to race. Words are jumbled, off-pace (fast or slow), and may seem fragmented or incoherent to others. Friends and family may have trouble understanding them or following an individual's train of thought.

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False beliefs and interpretations

Persistent delusions that interfere with daily life, such as that one has magical or superhuman powers, or that outside forces are trying to control an individual. Friends and family may encounter anger or resistance when they point out that the delusions are not real.

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Suspiciousness, paranoia, or unease with others

Experiences of psychosis can be quite frightening. Individuals may not understand what is happening to them and may be afraid to tell others. Experiences of paranoia can range from the belief that a government agency is scheming against an individual to suspicions that one’s family is poisoning food.

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Extreme behaviors in response to these things that seem very real

It can be frustrating to experience things that others claim are not real. Loved ones may observe angry or extreme responses that seem out of proportion to what is happening. It is important to be mindful that these responses are usually rooted in fear and/or confusion.

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Recognizing patterns and signs in random occurrences

Tendency to detect patterns that do not exist. Loved ones may notice individuals making predictions or seeking answers, based on unrelated events. This can lead to poor decision-making and increase the intensity of other symptoms.

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Withdrawing from family and friends

Being with others may increase paranoid delusions through social anxiety or feelings of social threat. You may notice that over time individuals become more isolated and lose interest in social activities that they once enjoyed.

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Decline in self-care and motivation

Lack of self-care in terms of personal health, hygiene, and living conditions. Individuals often lose motivation to get daily tasks done and lose interest in things they once enjoyed.

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Disruptions in school and work life

Experiencing psychosis can affect an individual's ability to concentrate, remember things, and keep track of a schedule. This makes following directions and other school and work-related activities difficult. Friends and family may notice a drop in grades or work performance.

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What Causes Psychosis?

Psychosis can have several causes and careful assessment is required to distinguish between episodes that are caused by a variety of medical illnesses (e.g., infection, epilepsy) or drugs (cocaine, stimulants, cannabis). Once these other causes are considered, the most likely reason for psychosis in a young adult is the emergence of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder or other mental illnesses like bipolar disorder or depression.

Psychosis vs. Schizophrenia

Psychosis is a recognizable syndrome or collection of unusual experiences (symptoms) and observable changes in speech or behavior (signs). Once a trained medical professional has eliminated other causes of psychosis that require distinct treatment (e.g. treatment for epilepsy, or depression) the most common reason for a young person to experience psychosis is the emergence of schizophrenia or a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Contrary to many myths, these are treatable, and the earlier, the better. Treatment should be individualized and can include a combination of counseling, assistance with work or educational goals, medications, and support for family and friends.

Why Substance Use Matters

Substance use has the potential to trigger a psychotic disorder or a temporary state of psychosis characterized by delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations. For individuals who already experience psychosis, substance use can worsen symptoms and reduce the effectiveness of antipsychotic medications. These compounding effects often result in crises and emergencies, ranging from onset or exacerbation of symptoms of psychosis, to incidents of violence, self-harm, and suicide. Treating substance-induced psychosis typically involves addressing both the symptoms of psychosis and the underlying substance use.

General Health

Emerging adults with psychosis, just like their peers, need routine preventative care, attention to their sexual, reproductive and general physical health and targeted management of any emerging medical disorders. Coordinated care by behavioral health and other medical professionals is important and can ensure that recovery from the effects of psychosis is accompanied by good overall health and functioning.

Co-occurring Disorders

Psychosis often comes alongside other health issues, creating what we call co-occurring disorders. This includes a range of physical & mental health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, depression, or anxiety. Co-ocurring disorders can worsen psychotic symptoms and impact medication effectiveness. For that reason, treatment for co-occuring disorders requires a comprehensive approach, often including coordinated care between different medical professionals.
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What happens to people who experience psychosis?

Unfortunately, many individuals with psychosis do not wish to seek help or know where to go for assistance. The time from psychosis onset to the start of effective treatment (or the Duration of Untreated Psychosis, DUP) is often measured in months or even years. During this period, individuals with psychosis may have unnecessary interactions with the criminal justice system or involuntary admissions to psychiatric hospitals.

Family, friends, and other community members (e.g., teachers, clergy, police) can help by learning about the common signs and symptoms and assisting the person with psychosis to access care. Shortening the DUP can reduce the distress, disability, and even risk of self-harm in persons with psychosis. We are here to help anyone in the community who is concerned about someone who may have psychosis, call us.

Treatment Works

Psychosis is treatable, and it is widely accepted that the earlier people get help the better the outcome. With treatment, recovery in psychosis is the expectation, not the exception.

If you or someone you love is struggling with any of these symptoms and live in Connecticut, please call our referral line. An Early Detection and Assessment Coordinator (EDAC) will be able to help screen for psychosis, differentiate it from other, related illnesses, and direct you to care.

203-200-0140
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or more information on these and other topics see STEP Learning Collaborative website.