Psychosis

“Psychosis doesn’t fit neatly into only one chapter of the DSM-5. It should actually have a place in all chapters.” - Kelleher, et all 2016

The experience of psychosis is more common than we think. It is believed that 7-10% of the world population will have a psychotic experience at some point in their lifetime. Additionally, there are a variety of different conditions that can be associated with psychosis - not only schizophrenia spectrum disorders. This includes depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and OCD.

Symptoms

Hallucinations - perceiving that sensations you see, ear, smell, or see exist outside your mind, when they do not.

• Visual - seeing people, colors, shapes
• Hearing - hearing voices or other sounds
• Touch
• Smell
• Taste

Delusions

• When a person has a fixed, entrenched belief that is not true
• Persecutory delusion - believing that a person, people, or organization is out to get you
• Grandiose delusions - believing you have more money, power, and authority than you actually have.

Disorganized Thinking/behaviors

• Excessive speech
• Disturbed speech that impacts you from communicating effectively. For instance, switching topic without giving context
• Sudden loss of train of thought, resulting in complete stop of activity or conversation
• Catatonia - Extreme reduction in movement or talking for extended periods of time.