Psychoses are the official name for a number of serious mental illnesses, which are characterized by a violation not only of the emotional sphere, but also of thought processes. Usually, in severe cases, the patient loses not only self-control, but also contact with reality.
What signs allow you to diagnose psychosis
The following symptoms indicate the early stages of psychosis:
- difficulty concentrating;
- depressed mood;
- constant increased anxiety;
- excessive suspicion;
- strange, illogical statements, beliefs;
- social self-isolation.
The patient cannot control his thoughts and feelings at this time, and if this condition is not stopped, then the psychosis will worsen and the following manifestations will be characteristic of it:
- disorganized, chaotic speech;
- hallucinations and delusions;
- depression;
- suicidal tendencies.
According to statistics, 3% of the world's population is subject to various psychoses. And while psychosis can happen to almost anyone, it is more common in young people.
Types of psychoses
Psychoses are divided into two main types: organic and functional. The first occurs after head injuries, brain diseases and some other diseases. Organic psychoses also include alcoholic and narcotic. The second is a consequence of the impact on the human psyche of any social factors, these are reactive psychoses that arise as an instant (acute) or delayed reaction to severe psychological trauma caused by stressful events, such as the loss of loved ones, mortal danger. A number of functional psychoses are called psychotic disorders and include bipolar disorder, delusional disorder, schizophrenia, and psychotic depression. Hysterical psychosis can often be diagnosed in people with increased mental excitability.
Psychoses caused by alcohol and hallucinogenic drugs disappear after the end of exposure to these substances, but with chronic drug addiction and alcoholism, psychotic symptoms may remain even after the body is completely cleansed.
Causes of psychosis
What causes psychoses? Modern psychiatry still cannot give an unambiguous answer to this question, almost every case of the disease is individual. However, there are factors that contribute to the development of this disease, such as:
- brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, some chromosomal abnormalities, dementia;
- various brain tumors;
- HIV and syphilis;
- some types of epilepsy
- the use of alcohol and drugs, - long-term sleep disturbances;
- the use of certain prescription drugs;
- severe psychological trauma.
