What are the symptoms?
In order to try and understand the experience of Psychosis it is useful to group together some of the more characteristic symptoms.
Early Signs (Prodromal Phase)
Prodromal symptoms can include social withdrawal, reduced concentration or attention, depressed mood, sleep disturbance, anxiety, suspiciousness, skipping school or work and irritability
These symptoms are very general and could be signs of many different things, including normal adolescent bahaviour. It is always important to be on the alert for such changes in thoughts, feelings, perceptions and bahaviour especially when they are continuous over a period of time.
Acute Phase
In the Acute Phase definite psychotic symptoms emerge. These are the symptoms that are hard to miss. They are intense, active and continuous, interfering with everyday life. These symptoms are frequently separated into positive and negative categories.
Positive symptoms are referred to as “positive” because they are viewed as an excess or distortion of the person's normal functioning. They include false beliefs, hallucinations, disorganised speech and behaviour changes.
“Negative” symptoms describe a decrease or loss of normal functions. These symptoms are often less evident than positive symptoms but can be just as troubling. Examples of negative symptoms include little display of emotions, not speaking very much, difficulties in thinking or coming up with ideas, decreased ability to initiate tasks and lowered levels of motivation or drive.
Recovery Stage
In the Recovery stage, the acute symptoms mentioned above will lessen and start to fade, however some symptoms may linger. Even after the psychosis has responded to treatment, problems such as depression, anxiety, decreased self esteem, social problems and difficulties with work or school may occur.
Common Symptoms
Confused thinking
Everyday thoughts become confused or don’t join up properly. Sentences are unclear or don’t make sense. A person may have difficulty concentrating, following a conversation or remembering things. Thoughts seem to speed up or slow down.
False beliefs
It is common for a person experiencing a psychotic episode to hold false beliefs, known as delusions. The person is so convinced of their delusion that the most logical argument cannot make them change their mind. For example, someone may be convinced from the way cars are parked outside their house that they are being watched by the police or they may be convinced that they are under the control of a powerful person or force.
Hallucinations
In psychosis, the person sees, hears, feels, smells or tastes something that is not actually there. For example, they may hear voices which no one else can hear, or see things which aren’t there. Things may taste or smell as if they are bad or even poisoned.
Changed feelings
How someone feels may change for no apparent reason. They may feel strange and cut off from the world. Mood swings are common and they may feel unusually excited or depressed. A person’s emotions feel dampened and they may show less emotion to those around them.
Changed behaviour
People with psychosis may behave differently from the way they usually do. They may be extremely active or lethargic. They may laugh inappropriately or become angry or upset without apparent cause. Often, changes in behaviour are associated with the symptoms already described above. For example, a person believing they are in danger may call the police. Someone who believes he is Jesus Christ may spend the day preaching in the streets. A person may stop eating because they are concerned that the food is poisoned, or have trouble sleeping because they are scared. Symptoms vary from person to person and may change over time.
Adapted from source www.rethink.org
