Psychosis: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Psychosis is associated to a condition in which the patient has a disconnection with reality. It is an indication of a severe mental state. Psychotic people often have hallucinations or delusions. The person affected by this condition may have experiences of thoughts which are absolutely contrary to real life. For example, a person with auditory hallucination may have an experience of his/her mother yelling at him/her, but in fact the mother isn’t even around. On the other hand, visual hallucination is seeing a figure of a person in front of him, who isn’t really there. These experiences are terrifying. These conditions may lead people to either hurt themselves or end their life.

Psychiatric evaluation is used to diagnose psychosis. This diagnosis involves a doctor watching a person’s behavior and asking questions related to their experiences. To detect an underlying condition causing this condition there are x-rays and medical tests that are carried out. The indications of psychosis in adults are very different from those in children. For example, children usually have imaginary friends with whom they talk the whole day. This represents imaginative play. This is absolutely normal in case of small children. In case you are worried about either of a child or an adult, you must explain their behavioral patterns to a doctor. There are several treatment methods available for psychosis. These include medications and drugs, rapid tranquilization and cognitive behavioral therapy.

The stages of a Psychosis can be categorized into three stages. Namely:

• Prodrome (or prodromal) phase: This is the first stage of Psychosis. At this stage, one may experience the symptoms of the psychoses which have been triggered in the patient. One may feel a sudden shift in their behavior, feelings, physical health, etc. you may feel confused, overloaded and emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected to external or internal environment alongside physical symptoms like difficulty concentrating, sudden fatigue. These symptoms may vary in each case.
• Acute Phase: This is the second stage of Psychosis. In this case, the symptoms of the first stage escalate and develop into delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized behaviors or speech. Unlike the first stage, these symptoms are easier to diagnose. This stage may need medical attention in order to be treated and controlled.
• Recovery: This is the third stage where you might feel a rest as it includes treatment and therapies to treat the Psychosis. The stage keeps on fluctuating between the relapse of stage one and complete treatment. The treatment or recovery period may last long for weeks or months depending upon the seriousness of the case.

Summary: The stages of a Psychosis can be categorized into three stages. They are on the basis of symptoms and effects on an individual.

Treatment of psychosis comprises of three fundamental parts. These incorporate psychotherapy, drug and recovery. These are done in the accompanying ways. Psychotherapy is carried out by making you aware about your condition. The expert enquires about your state of mind, contemplations, emotions and behavioral patterns to come to a diagnosis for your condition. You are then prepared to manage stress. The sessions for psychotherapy can be given separately, in gatherings and even with your family. Your social abilities are polished and developed. An emphasis is given on learning approaches to deal with the side effects and control behavior that impedes your typical working environment and relations. It is likewise essential to advise the relatives of an affected individual to get the coveted outcome.

Medications and drugs too are an indispensable part of the treatment. In spite of the fact that there is no prescription that targets specifically towards Psychosis, the different manifestations can be managed them. Antidepressants work to diminish discouragement, anger, irritability, indiscretion and sadness. Mood stabilizers are medicines that assist in keeping emotional episodes in control. Doubtful perceptions or disconnection from reality that happens when a person has psychosis can likewise be controlled and amended by having antipsychotic solutions (neuroleptics). Anxiety, sleeping disorder and agitation are dealt with anti-anxiety medications. Extreme types of psychosis can end up plainly dangerous for the individual affected and his family and friends. In such cases it gets important to admit the patient to a hospital or rehabilitation center and get treatment there.

People develop psychosis due to two main reasons – genes and surrounding conditions. Such kinds of behavioral disorders are passed down from one generation to another. Those who are subjected to extremely stressful childhood, have bad relations with their family and people around them and have faced unnatural events are at a higher risk of developing such conditions. A person should seek medical care if he has been subjected to such conditions.

Pregnant women have been seen to have a slight risk in taking antidepressants as they can cause birth defects. Any person who suffers from a type of psychosis can undergo the treatment. As the treatment primarily consists of therapy and counseling, it is suitable for all. The only part of the treatment where people might face certain problems is the medications that are given for treating the individual symptoms. People who have serotonin syndrome too cannot take such medications as this could cause a string of effects like rapid heart rate, panic attacks, shivering, loss of muscle coordination and others.

The duration of your Psychosis merely depends on the root cause, its stage, and the seriousness of the case. Including all three stages, one may experience Psychosis from one month to six months. The time gap can be different in each case.

Summary: The duration of your Psychosis merely depends on the root cause, its stage, and the seriousness of the case.

The side effects of the medication associated to the treatment of psychosis include nausea, decreased sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, weight gain because of an increase in appetite, muscle spasms, blurred vision, mouth dryness, dizziness, fatigue, restlessness, tremors, diarrhea, constipation, increased thirst, vomiting, and many more.

In case the symptoms of your psychosis start returning, consult or share your problems with a medical professional, a therapist, or someone close to you and try to work things out for your betterment. Joining a support or a mental health group will combat this condition and help you to a great deal. Make as many lifestyle changes as possible in order to maintain your mental health. These changes may include your workplace or even your relationships which are making you unstable in life. Avoid the consumption of too much alcohol and stop smoking. Eating a balanced diet induced with fruits and green leafy vegetables is a significant part of a healthy lifestyle.

There is no fixed timing related to the treatment of psychosis. This condition may become better or worse over time depending upon the environment or lifestyle measures adopted. With appropriate doses of medication the patient is able to deal with the symptoms and carry on a normal life, but a permanent cure is never available.

The cost of the treatment of any form of psychosis can be divided into two parts – therapy and medication. The usual consultation fees per session of a psychologist are anywhere between Rs.500-1500, and it can go up to Rs.4000. The medication prescribed for the different symptoms come at a cost of about Rs.300-1500 per pack.

The treatment of psychosis aims at managing the symptoms and does not give a definite cure. This means that the medications help to reduce the overall condition and make your life as close to normal as possible. But the chances of a relapse cannot be avoided.

You can treat the different symptoms of psychosis without prescription drugs too. Many natural ingredients have been seen to be useful in such conditions. Consuming kava to fight anxiety and sleep disorders and valerian root to promote sleep are some examples of how natural ingredients help.

Conclusion: Psychosis can be described as a mental disorder that leads to an impaired relationship with reality. There are three stages of Psychosis, prodromal, acute, and recovery. It can be recovered by medication, physiotherapy, and self-care.