Understanding Psychosis and Treatment

People experiencing psychosis often find their attention consumed by their internal reality, neglecting the external world. Understanding and empathetically connecting with this subjective experience is crucial. In psychosis, the harmony between one's internal world and the perceived reality is disrupted, blurring boundaries between thoughts, feelings, and perceptions of the self and others. This erosion of boundaries can lead to losing personal agency, questioning once-automatic daily activities, and undermining the psychological basis for forming opinions, driving motivation, and taking action. Simple decisions become arduous amid a flood of thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

Many practitioners shy away from working with the unconscious of individuals with psychotic symptoms. However, once symptoms stabilize with medication, we delve into the origins of positive symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, intrusive thoughts) and help clients recognize the ways their unconscious conflicts can contribute to psychosis development. We fearlessly explore psychotic symptoms to uncover the source of internal conflict.

Through years of experience, we've discovered that psychosis often originates as a coping mechanism for overwhelming thoughts and feelings. By addressing these underlying thoughts and emotions and implementing stabilizing medication, psychosis tends to diminish. Unlike treatments solely focused on symptom containment, our approach targets fundamental belief systems, fostering meaningful change. Through our method, tangible transformations become possible.

What is Psychosis?

Psychosis is a mental health condition characterized by a profound disruption of an individual's normal thoughts and perceptions.

When experiencing psychosis, individuals may experience a detachment from reality. This causes people to perceive things that are not actually present (hallucinations), hold false beliefs despite evidence to the contrary (delusions), struggle to organize their thoughts or communicate coherently (disorganized thinking), or have difficulty recognizing the severity or nature of their symptoms (impaired insight).

These symptoms can significantly impact a person's ability to function in daily life and may be indicative of underlying mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression with psychotic features, or certain substance-induced conditions.

Therapists play a crucial role in supporting individuals with psychosis by offering various interventions tailored to their specific needs:

Assessment and Diagnosis: Therapists conduct thorough assessments to understand the nature and severity of the individual's symptoms, explore potential underlying causes or contributing factors, and determine an accurate diagnosis. This assessment guides the development of an appropriate treatment plan.

Understanding psychosis is essential for individuals and their loved ones. Therapists provide psychoeducation about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for psychosis. This helps individuals and their support networks better comprehend the condition, reduce stigma, and actively participate in treatment.

Medication Management: In many cases, medication is prescribed to manage symptoms of psychosis. Therapists, often working in collaboration with psychiatrists, oversee medication management. They monitor the individual's response to medication, address any side effects or concerns, and promote medication adherence.

Therapy and Counseling: Various forms of therapy can be beneficial for individuals experiencing psychosis. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals challenge and reframe distorted thoughts and beliefs, reduce distressing symptoms, and develop coping strategies for managing their condition. Supportive therapy or psychodynamic therapy may also be utilized based on individual needs.

Therapists provide emotional support, validation, and practical guidance to individuals coping with psychosis. They assist individuals with developing coping skills, enhancing problem-solving abilities, and fostering resilience in the face of challenges associated with the condition.

Family Therapy: Psychosis can affect not only the individual experiencing symptoms but also their family members and caregivers. Family therapy improves communication, increases understanding of the condition, and strengthens familial support networks. It also addresses any family dynamics or conflicts that may arise as a result of psychosis.

Crisis Intervention: In situations where psychosis poses a risk of harm to the individual or others, therapists provide crisis intervention services. This may involve safety planning, coordinating emergency psychiatric care, and facilitating hospitalization, if necessary, to ensure the individual's safety and well-being.

Recovery from psychosis is often a journey that requires ongoing support. Therapists offer long-term support, monitoring progress, adjusting treatment plans as needed, and assisting individuals in navigating challenges or setbacks along the way. This continuous support promotes sustained recovery and improved quality of life.

In conclusion, therapists play a crucial role in helping individuals with psychosis by providing comprehensive assessment, psychoeducation, medication management, therapy and counseling, family involvement, crisis intervention, and long-term support.

Through individual and collaborative approaches, therapists empower individuals to manage their symptoms, enhance their functioning, and work towards recovery and overall well-being.