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The hidden veil of mental illness: Why are people confused about reality?
Psychosis is a mental condition that may make it difficult for a person to determine what is real and what is false. Symptoms may include hallucinations and delusions, as well as unclear thinking and inappropriate behavior. Many patients may also face problems such as insomnia, social withdrawal, and lack of motivation. These symptoms may, in some cases, have a significant negative impact on the patient's quality of life and social functioning.
Symptoms of psychosis often arise from a variety of causes, including mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, and trauma.
Symptoms of psychosis
Hallucination
Hallucinations are sensory perceptions in the absence of external stimulation. This experience may affect a person's vision, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. The most common are auditory hallucinations, in which the patient may hear voices or conversations. Research shows that approximately 70% of people with schizophrenia experience auditory hallucinations, and this proportion may vary culturally and geographically.
Delusion
Delusion is the persistence of a false belief even when there is solid evidence against that belief. These beliefs may vary in different cultural contexts, and in some cases, patients may believe they are being persecuted or believe they have special abilities beyond their usual abilities.
Disordered thinking or behavior
When a person's thinking or verbal expressions become unintelligible, this is classified as disorganized thinking. Patients may have rapid topic changes or difficult-to-understand language structures in their verbal communication, making it difficult for them to communicate in social situations.
Negative symptoms
Negative symptoms include reduced emotional expression, lack of motivation, and reduced verbal spontaneity. These symptoms may make the patient appear aloof or unwilling to participate in social interactions.
Mental illness among adolescents
Psychosis is relatively rare in teenagers, but when it occurs, it can make it difficult for them to relate to those around them. Adolescent patients' ability to socialize and work may be affected by cognitive deficits, and they may have multiple co-occurring mental illnesses, making diagnosis more difficult.
Symptoms of psychosis can be caused by many factors, including mental illness, medication, and trauma. This also leads to different understandings and interpretations of reality.
Causes and triggers
The onset of psychosis can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as mental health issues, substance use, traumatic experiences, and more. In addition, conditions such as severe sleep deprivation or mental stress may lead people into hallucinatory situations. These conditions may be called transient or focusing psychosis.
The effects of trauma and stress
Many studies indicate that traumatic life events significantly increase the risk of developing psychotic symptoms, particularly in those who experienced trauma in childhood and are more likely to develop psychotic symptoms in adolescence or adulthood. Such mental distress may reoccur in the future, posing a potential risk.
Effects of drugs
Some psychoactive drugs, both legal and illegal, have been accused of causing or exacerbating psychotic symptoms. Ruling out addiction or other factors caused by drugs is part of the diagnostic process that must be considered in order to determine appropriate treatment options.
Treatment and Management
Treatment for psychosis usually includes antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy, and appropriate social support. Recent studies have shown that early interventional treatment can significantly improve patient outcomes. Different causes of mental illness may require different treatments.
In-depth research and early diagnosis of mental illness will help improve overall society's awareness of mental health and promote more appropriate support and understanding.
As excellent scientific research and community support provide us with a better understanding, the deeper question is: How on earth can we effectively seek help to rebuild ourselves and our connections with others when we find ourselves disconnected from reality?
