What is Psychosis?

One of the more well known issues that requires the aid of a therapist is psychosis. Psychosis occurs when there is a loss of contact with reality. In most cases, this involves false beliefs about what is happening or who a person is through delusions or seeing or hearing things that are not really there through hallucinations.

Psychosis can be caused by a number of things, some created by external influences and others developing from diseases. Alcohol and drugs can cause certain forms of psychosis. Additionally, brain tumors, dementia, brain diseases, strokes, and even some forms of epilepsy can result in psychosis. It is also common in individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and some personality disorders.

Psychosis Therapy
What is Psychosis Therapy?

Depending on the individual’s ability to communicate, it may be difficult to recognize the symptoms. Most of the time, the symptoms include disorganized thought and speech, hallucinations, delusions, and thoughts that jump through disordered patterns. They do not appear in isolation, and they tend to be cumulative in nature.

Methods Typically Used in Therapy for Psychosis

When an individual is suspected of having psychosis, the first step is to determine why. This will then provide guidelines for the most effective treatment if any is available. For situations such as dementia, treatment may be to change the medication balance. Counseling may be advised, but generally in those cases, the psychosis is beyond much repair. For individuals who struggle with a psychological illness such as bipolar or schizophrenia, medication and psychotherapy as well as other cognitive techniques are likely to be implemented.

Reasons for Hiring a Therapist

In most cases, individuals struggling with psychosis are not going to recognize that they are struggling with it. A common trait of the illness is a belief in the delusions and hallucinations. This means that family members and friends are generally the ones who have to bring up the issue. Unless dealing with a minor, this means that they cannot force the individual to go in for testing. One exception to this is when the individual is seen as being at severe risk of harm and unable to think for himself.

Professional help must be sought when the hallucinations and delusions become commonplace rather than occasional. It is important to evaluate the situation as soon as possible though. If it happens more than twice, it’s best to see a professional’s assistance as this could be indicative of greater problems.

Even if treatment is successful, it is important to retain a therapist to work through the issues. Individuals who have struggled through psychosis often struggle with negative emotions, fears, and withdrawal. This stems from the inability to control themselves or to interpret reality. Remaining with a therapist is essential to avoid the fears from becoming debilitating. It may also be necessary to be able to return to regular life activities.

What to Look for in a Therapist

When dealing with psychosis, the doctor and therapist are likely to work together unless it is clear that there is no medical issue at all. Given the range of possible causes, it’s vital to rule out physical as well as mental illnesses. For this, it is generally best to check into a good hospital with an explanation for your purpose.

Once you are able to choose a therapist, you will want to look for an abnormal behavioral therapist. However, in some states, you may be able to find one who specializes in psychoses. This can be particularly helpful since treatments and therapy methods differ significantly from other forms of mental illnesses. Search TherapyTribe – therapist directory to find a therapist that specializes in Psychosis or abnormal behavior therapy treatment methods today.