JIDE-OMOLE IFEDOYIN FLOURISH

PREMED 2

2020

PSYCHOSIS

INTRODUCTION WHAT IS PSYCHOSIS? TYPES CAUSESSIGNS AND SYMPTOMS RISK FACTORS PREVENTIONDIAGNOSISTREATMENT PROGNOSIS CONCLUSION AND FACTS ABOUT PSYCHOSIS

TABLE OF CONTENT

INTRODUCTION Psychosis (from the Greek psyche, "mind/soul", and -"abnormal condition or derangement") refers to an abnormal condition of the mind, and is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state often described as involving a "loss of contact with reality. psychosis is not to be mistaken for psychopathy. Psychosis is an illness involving loss of contact with reality while psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by enduring antisocial behavior, diminished empathy and remorse, and disinhibited or bold behavior.

psychosis is a condition where there is loss of contact with reality.

Psychosis is a symptom or feature of mental illness typically characterized by radical changes in personality, impaired functioning, and a distorted or nonexistent sense of objective reality.

WHAT IS PSYCHOSIS

There are 12 different types of psychosis and they are; •SCHIZOPHRENIA : a psychiatric disorder characterized by disordered thinking and behavior, which often includes delusions and hallucinations. Psychotic symptoms are experienced for at least six months, together with significant social or occupational dysfunction.

•SCHIZPPHRENIFORM DISORDER: symptoms are similar to schizophrenia, but persist for between one and six months

.SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER : prominent mood symptoms occur with the characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia, but occasionally psychotic symptoms are experienced in the absence of mood symptoms.

TYPES OF PSYCHOSIS

•DELUSIONAL DISORDER : involves holding strong, false beliefs (delusions). Hallucinations are usually not present. Apart from the impact of the delusions, psychosocial functioning may not be markedly impaired nor behaviour blatantly strange. However, under some circumstances delusions are sufficiently false to cause problems with day-to-day life. •SUBSTANCE-INDUCED PSYCHOSIS: drug and alcohol use or withdrawal can result in psychotic symptoms. These may disappear once the effects of the substances or withdrawal symptoms wear off. In some cases, psychosis persists after the initial substance-induced psychosis. This is common with stimulant drugs, e.g. methamphetamine

CONT.

•DEMENTIA : psychotic symptoms may appear with memory disturbances in conditions that cause physiological deterioration of the brain, such as a head injury, AIDS, post-encephalitis, Alzheimer’s Disease or a brain tumor. •BIPOLAR DEPRESSION ( MANIC DEPRESSION): psychosis generally appears as part of a more general severe mood disturbance. Psychotic symptoms tend to match your mood. (For example, when depressed, you may hear voices urging you to commit suicide.) •MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER: psychosis can be a feature of a severe major depression. •POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS: psychosis that may develop during the six month period after childbirth. This is usually part of a severe mood disorder. •DELIRIUM psychotic symptoms may be part of an acute confusional state that results from another severe medical disorder, such as meningitis, septicemia or after an epileptic convulsion.

•BRIEF PSYCHOTIC EPISODE: psychotic symptoms appear suddenly in response to a recognisable and highly stressful life event, such as being a victim of violent crime. Symptoms may be severe but are short-lived: the psychosis lasts between one day and one month. You may or may not be aware of your bizarre behaviour. •PSYCHOSIS DUE TO A GENERAL MEDICAL CONDITION: psychotic symptoms may appear as a result of brain tumors, epilepsy, and other chronic medical conditions. The psychotic symptoms can sometimes be the first sign of the underlying medical condition.

Psychosis may be caused by the interaction of biological and psychosocial factors depending on the disorder in which it presents; psychosis can also be caused by purely social factors, with no biological component. Psychosis is also a known side effect of the use, abuse, and withdrawal from certain drugs. So-called recreational drugs, such as hallucinogenics, PCP, amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol, may be cause a psychotic reaction during use or withdrawal. Certain prescription medications such as steroids, anticonvulsants, chemotherapeutic agents, and antiparkinsonian medications may also induce psychotic symptoms. Exposure to toxic substances such as carbon monoxide can also cause psychosis.

CAUSES

Early stage psychosis:•difficulty concentrating •depressed mood •sleep changes—sleeping too much or not enough•anxiety •suspiciousness •withdrawal from family and friends •ongoing unusual thoughts and beliefs

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Later stage psychosis•delusions•hallucinations •disorganized speech—switching topics erratically•depression•anxiety•suicidal thoughts or actions•difficulty functioning.

It is not currently possible to precisely identify individuals who are likely to develop a psychotic disorder. However, research has shown that genetics may play a role. If one identical twin develops psychosis, there is a 50 percent chance the other twin will as well. Individuals with a close family member (parent or sibling) who has a psychotic disorder are more likely to develop a psychotic disorder. Children born with the genetic mutation known as 22q11 deletion syndrome are at risk for developing a psychotic disorder, especially schizophrenia.

RISK FACTORS

Patients with psychotic symptoms should undergo a thorough physical examination and history to rule out such possible organic causes as seizures, delirium, or alcohol withdrawal, and such other psychiatric conditions as dissociation or panic attacks. If a psychiatric cause such as schizophrenia is suspected, a mental health professional will typically conduct an interview with the patient and administer one of several clinical inventories, or tests, to evaluate mental status. This assessment takes place in either an out-patient or hospital setting.

Psychotic symptoms and behaviors are considered psychiatric emergencies, and persons showing signs of psychosis are frequently taken by family, friends, or the police to a hospital emergency room. A person diagnosed as psychotic can be legally hospitalized against his or her will, particularly if he or she is violent, threatening to commit suicide, or threatening to harm another person. A psychotic person may also be hospitalized if he or she has become malnourished or ill as a result of failure to feed, dress appropriately for the climate, or otherwise take care of him- or herself.

DIAGNOSIS

Psychosis that is symptomatic of schizophrenia or another psychiatric disorder should be treated by a psychologist and/or psychiatrist. An appropriate course of medication and/or psychosocial therapy is employed to treat the underlying primary disorder. If the patient is considered to be at risk for harming himself or others, inpatient treatment is usually recommended. Treatment of shared psychotic disorder involves separating the affected persons from one another as well as using antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy. Antipsychotic medication such as thioridazine (Mellaril), haloperidol (Haldol), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (Clozaril), sertindole (Serlect), olanzapine (Zyprexa), or risperidone (Risperdal) is usually prescribed to bring psychotic symptoms under control and into remission.

TREATMENT

Possible side effects of antipsychotics include dry mouth, drowsiness, muscle stiffness, and tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements of the body). Agranulocytosis, a potentially serious but reversible health condition in which the white blood cells that fight infection in the body are destroyed, is a possible side effect of clozapine. Patients treated with this drug should undergo weekly blood tests to monitor white blood cell counts for the first six months, then every two weeks. After an acute psychotic episode has subsided, antipsychotic drug maintenance treatment is typically employed and psychosocial therapy and living and vocational skills training may be attempted

Prognosis for brief psychotic disorder is quite good; for schizophrenia, less so. Generally, the longer and more severe a psychotic episode, the poorer the prognosis is for the patient. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to improving outcomes for the patient across all psychotic disorders. Approximately 10% of America's permanently disabled population is comprised of schizophrenic individuals. The mortality rate of schizophrenic individuals is also high—approximately 10% of schizophrenics commit suicide, and 20% attempt it. However, early diagnosis and long-term follow up care can improve the outlook for these patients considerably. Roughly 60% of patients with schizophrenia will show substantial improvement with appropriate treatment.

PROGNOSIS

Psychosis is a medical condition that affects the brain where there is some loss of contact with reality

A first episode of psychosis usually occurs in teens or early adult life

Psychosis affects males and females equally Approximately 3% of all individuals experience an episode of

psychosis in their lifetime Psychosis has no boundaries. It occurs across cultures and levels

of status Using drugs can place young people at risk Young people who have a relative with psychosis or schizophrenia

have an increased risk The experience of psychosis varies greatly from person to person;

individuals experiencing psychosis can have different symptoms Psychosis is treatable. Recovery is expected

FACTS ABOUT PSYCHOSIS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychosis http://medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/psychosis

http://www.healthline.com/health/psychosis#RiskFactors5

REFERENCES