Psychosis is a mental health condition where you lose touch with reality, often involving hallucinations (seeing/hearing things others don't) or delusions (fixed false beliefs, like paranoia about being watched). It's not a diagnosis itself but a symptom of issues like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, or triggers like drug use, trauma, sleep deprivation, or medical conditions.
Common Signs:
- Hallucinations: Hearing voices commenting on your actions, or seeing shadows/people that aren't there.
- Delusions: Believing you're famous, persecuted, or have special powers without evidence.
- Disorganized Thinking: Jumbled speech, jumping between unrelated ideas, or trouble concentrating.
- Negative Symptoms: Withdrawing from social life, flat emotions, or neglecting self-care.
- Behavioral Changes: Agitation, paranoia, or acting on false beliefs (e.g., avoiding "threats").
These can start subtly mild suspicion escalating to full episodes or suddenly during stress. Early warning signs include isolation, odd thoughts, or feeling "off." Risk factors: family history, substance abuse (e.g., cannabis, meth), or brain injury.
Self-Check Tips:
- Track symptoms in a journal: When do they occur? How intense?
- Ask trusted friends/family: "Do I seem different lately?"
- Rule out basics: Lack of sleep, caffeine overload, or meds can mimic psychosis.
Important: You can't reliably self-diagnose symptoms overlap with anxiety, PTSD, or even migraines. Psychosis is treatable with therapy, meds (antipsychotics), and support, but untreated, it worsens.
Seek Help Immediately If:
- Thoughts of harm (to self/others).
- Unable to function daily.
- Symptoms disrupt work/relationships.
Call a crisis line (e.g., 988 in US), see a GP, or visit ER. A psychiatrist uses interviews, tests, and brain scans for diagnosis. Early intervention boosts recovery 80% improve with treatment!
You're not alone; reaching out is brave.