Psychosis
NHS Choices define Psychosis as ‘a medical word used to describe mental health problems that stop the person from thinking clearly, telling the difference between reality and their imagination, and acting in a normal way. The two main symptoms of psychosis are:
The combination of hallucinations and delusional thinking can cause an often severe disruption to perception, thinking, emotion and behaviour.’
How to support a friend
First, try to keep some perspective if a friend tells you they’re experiencing psychosis. Students will be able to relate to many of the traits such as worry and lack of sleep, and many of us experience paranoid thoughts.
Information from NHS Choices
‘People with psychosis often have what is known as a lack of insight, meaning they are unaware they are thinking and acting strangely. Due to their lack of insight, it is often down to friends, relatives or carers of people affected by psychosis to seek help for them. If you are concerned that someone you know may be affected by psychosis you could contact their social worker or community mental health nurse if they have previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition. If you think the person’s symptoms are placing them at possible risk of harm then you can take the person to the nearest accident and emergency department, if they agree. Or call their GP / local out of hours GP, NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or ring 999 and ask for an ambulance.’
- Hallucinations – where a person hears, sees (and in some cases smells) things that are not really there; a common hallucination is when people hear voices in their head.
- Delusions – where a person believes things that, when examined rationally, are obviously untrue.
The combination of hallucinations and delusional thinking can cause an often severe disruption to perception, thinking, emotion and behaviour.’
How to support a friend
First, try to keep some perspective if a friend tells you they’re experiencing psychosis. Students will be able to relate to many of the traits such as worry and lack of sleep, and many of us experience paranoid thoughts.
Information from NHS Choices
‘People with psychosis often have what is known as a lack of insight, meaning they are unaware they are thinking and acting strangely. Due to their lack of insight, it is often down to friends, relatives or carers of people affected by psychosis to seek help for them. If you are concerned that someone you know may be affected by psychosis you could contact their social worker or community mental health nurse if they have previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition. If you think the person’s symptoms are placing them at possible risk of harm then you can take the person to the nearest accident and emergency department, if they agree. Or call their GP / local out of hours GP, NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or ring 999 and ask for an ambulance.’
