Psychotic breaks or episodes usually happen because of multiple factors combining to cause such an episode in a person’s mind. This combination can consist of genetically inherited elements, an imbalance in brain chemicals, and built-up stress/anxiety from that individual’s immediate environment. This sends the brain into a panic, which can be more commonly defined as a stress overload. Luckily, Beethoven Recovery Centre has a psychiatric care facility near Gauteng that can treat psychosis.
What Are the Primary Symptoms and Warning Signs of Psychosis?
- Hallucinations: Hallucinations do not only affect sight, but it can also affect your other senses. You might hear, smell, feel, or taste something that isn’t there, that isn’t real. This is your brain giving your nervous system false information because of it being in a flat spin, so to speak.
- Delusions: Along with the hallucinations come the delusions. People who suffer from psychosis would usually have a false sense of something, feeling like they are being watched or followed by someone when it simply isn’t the case. This also applies to the other side of the spectrum, where such a person will convince themselves that they have superpowers or are unnaturally gifted at something. These delusions of grandeur are clear warning signs of the early stages of psychosis.
- Erratic Thinking and Speaking Patterns: People who suffer from psychosis will struggle to properly convey themselves when talking. This is because of having scrambled thoughts and being unable to think clearly and concisely. They will not be able to hold a conversation on a single topic for long either, as their mind sporadically jumps between ideas. However, this should not be confused with ADHD symptoms, which is a different conversation altogether.
- A Sudden Change in Behaviour: When dealing with psychosis, individuals would usually display a sudden change in their behaviour. Social withdrawal and a lack of personal hygiene are some of the most common symptoms. Others include unusual behaviour and the pursuit of something that is so far out of reach, but somehow seems doable for the individual. This is where those delusions of grandeur kick in once again.
- Emotional Instability: Psychosis causes an individual to be emotionally unstable. Once again, this is because of the brain being in panic mode and not truly comprehending the world around them. Psychosis can cause an individual to experience high levels of anxiety, depression, or agitation. It can also cause the individual to have inappropriate emotional responses to certain events, for example, starting to laugh when someone gets hurt badly.
- Causes of Psychosis: A psychotic episode can be caused by mental illnesses that include Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and chronic depression. Substance abuse and severe levels of trauma and stress can also cause someone to experience psychosis. Our psychiatric care facility offers professional treatment solutions for those who experience psychotic episodes.
Beethoven Recovery Centre is your first choice in a professional psychiatric care facility near Gauteng. Please browse our website for details on our facility and feel free to contact us directly if you have any questions about our treatment solutions. Overcome the challenges of living with a treatable mental illness with us by your side.