Types of mental health conditions - PSYCHOSIS

Psychosis is an umbrella term which describes any mental health condition where the person’s sense of reality becomes distorted in some way.


These can include:


  • Hallucinations - people may see, hear, taste, feel or smell things that are not there. Hallucinations seem very real to the person experiencing them, and can therefore be very frightening.
  • Delusions - False beliefs, such as that other people are constantly watching them, or that they are in some way being persecuted, or being used, or that they have a special mission to complete. Again, they are very real to the person experiencing them.
  • Thought disorders - this is when a person’s normal thinking process in some way becomes disorganised and distorted. This person may lack logic in their thoughts and train of thoughts, lack concentration, and have difficulty planning ahead and communicating with others.


→ A person with psychosis may struggle to distinguish their experiences from commonly accepted reality, which can make daily life, maintaining relationships, and work very difficult.


Types of psychosis


  • Brief psychotic episode - This is when psychotic symptoms last for up to four weeks, and then subside. 
  • Drug induced psychosis - Brought on by the use of drugs such as cannabis, magic mushrooms, ecstasy, cocaine or methamphetamines, and can include hallucinations, memory loss and disorientation. These usually pass when the substance wears off.
  • Postpartum psychosis - This begins suddenly in the days or weeks following childbirth, and can also include symptoms of mania and depression. Immediate professional help is vital.
  • Schizophrenia - This term means ‘split mind’ and refers to changes in mental function whereby thoughts and perceptions become distorted. For a schizophrenia diagnosis, psychotic symptoms must be present for at least six months. Additional symptoms can include loss of motivation, inappropriate emotions, and social withdrawal. However, contrary to popular opinion, people with schizophrenia are not generally violent - they are more likely to harm themselves than others, or to be the victims of crime.