Living with psychosis can be unsettling and even frightening, but treatment is available. A person who is suffering from psychosis has trouble knowing what is real and what is not. It can cause significant disruptions in thoughts and perceptions, as well as hallucinations. Psychosis symptoms may cause a person to strongly believe in things that others accept as untrue or to behave in unusual ways.
At Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital, an affiliate of Fairview Health Services, located in St. Paul, Minnesota, we offer psychosis treatment to help people find lasting healing.
What Is Psychosis?
Psychosis significantly distorts a person’s perception of reality. If left untreated, its consequences can be deeply damaging. While not a stand-alone condition, psychosis can appear as a symptom or collection of symptoms of various mental health disorders.
It may occur with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Psychosis can also occur with bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorders, trauma-related concerns, and intense anxiety.
The National Institutes of Health reports that around 1.5%-3.5% of people meet the diagnostic criteria for a psychotic disorder. It is possible that the number is even higher, as psychosis is difficult to identify and quantify.
Understanding the Signs & Symptoms of Psychosis
Having symptoms of psychosis can be scary. You might hear voices, see things that aren’t there, or believe ideas that defy reality. The struggle to know what is real makes it difficult to maintain relationships, employment, or day-to-day self-care and functioning.
The signs of psychosis might include:
- Hallucinations: Hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there
- Delusions: Strongly held false beliefs, including the idea that someone is after them
- Disorganized thinking: Difficulty organizing ideas into words
- Unusual behavior: Inappropriate actions that can range from agitation to catatonia (no movement or speech)
- Social isolation: Withdrawing from friends and family
- Cognitive impairments: Problems with memory, attention, or functioning
- Sleep disruption: Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Substance use: Increased use of drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism
You do not need to exhibit all these signs and symptoms to be diagnosed with psychosis. Early diagnosis can help mitigate the most serious effects.
The person who is experiencing symptoms of psychosis may be unaware that anything is wrong, so if you see someone else exhibiting these signs, talk to them about your concerns and encourage them to seek professional treatment.
Risk Factors for Psychosis
Anyone can develop psychosis, regardless of race, age, or background. However, certain risk factors can increase your likelihood of developing it, including:
- Mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression
- Abusing or going through withdrawal from drugs or alcohol, or using certain medications
- Certain neurological disorders, traumatic brain injury, infections of the brain, and severe physical illnesses
- Experiencing significant trauma, extreme stress, grief, or major life changes
- A family history of mental health disorders
- Severe sleep deprivation
Often, psychosis results from a combination of factors. The experience can vary tremendously from person to person.
The inability to know what is real can be intensely frightening. However, psychosis is treatable and often temporary. At Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital, our dedicated team meets you where you are on your journey to healing. We will tailor a personalized treatment plan to your needs. You don’t have to face this alone. Our team will be with you every step of the way, offering guidance and encouragement.
When To Seek Care at a Psychosis Treatment Center
The first time you struggle to perceive reality, it is called first-episode psychosis, or FEP. This is the best time to seek help. Early treatment can make a significant difference in long-term outcomes. If you have experienced more than one episode of psychosis, take action as soon as possible.
Psychosis can sometimes lead to risky behavior, increasing the danger to yourself or others. If you have thoughts about hurting yourself or others, call 911, go to an emergency room, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or 988.
If someone you care about is experiencing symptoms of psychosis, ask them about what they’re seeing, hearing, and thinking. Listening to them without judging or arguing might help them realize that they need help.
To learn more about treatment at Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital, you can contact us anytime. One of our intake specialists is available to answer your questions and determine if our hospital is right for you or your loved one.
What To Expect at Our Psychosis Treatment Center
At our St. Paul treatment center, we take a patient-centered, holistic approach to psychosis treatment. We offer a range of therapies to support your emotional, physical, and social well-being.
Here, you will find a safe and welcoming environment where you can focus on healing. Our well-trained team is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and treating you with respect, dignity, and empathy.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Daily group therapy sessions that may cover topics such as coping skills, trauma, triggers, and establishing healthy boundaries
- Medication management services provided by licensed psychiatrists and registered nurses
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help you recognize harmful thought patterns and behaviors and make positive changes
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which can equip you to manage overwhelming emotions, improve your communication skills, and practice mindfulness
- Motivational interviewing, which is designed to help you set and achieve wellness goals
Our team will work with you to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs.
Benefits of Treatment for Psychosis at Our St. Paul Hospital
Treatment for psychosis can significantly enhance your quality of life. By addressing the underlying causes and symptoms, treatment helps restore a sense of reality, allowing individuals to reconnect with their thoughts, emotions, and relationships.
Here are just some of the potential benefits:
- Reduction in the frequency and severity of psychotic episodes, helping you regain stability
- Restored reality perception, reducing confusion and distress
- Improved ability to carry out everyday tasks and responsibilities
- Stronger personal and social connections
- Coping strategies to manage symptoms and stress, fostering resilience
- Increased insight into the condition and yourself
- Improved overall well-being and life satisfaction
Effects of Untreated Psychosis
Left untreated, psychosis can severely undermine your relationships and quality of life. It can leave you feeling isolated at exactly the time when you most need support and understanding. In time, psychosis can affect every aspect of your daily life, damaging your overall well-being. Reclaiming your wellness begins with seeking help, as early as you can, at a qualified treatment center.
Untreated psychosis can lead to:
- More intense hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms
- The inability to work or attend school
- Loss of friendships or relationships, leading to social isolation
- Declining mental and physical health
- Increased risk for self-harm and suicide
Receiving professional treatment can prevent some of the most serious consequences. Our caring, highly trained staff is here to walk you through the assessment and admissions process whenever you are ready.
Your health and well-being are our top priority. Your first step toward healing is a call to us. We can get started with an assessment right away. A better future is possible.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital, an affiliate of Fairview Health Services.
