The term psychosis describes a state in which a person perceives or interprets reality differently from others. It may seem as though you are seeing or hearing things that others don’t, or believing things that others do not believe. Some people describe psychosis as a "break from reality."

 

Traditionally, psychosis was viewed as a symptom of mental illness. However, it is not always caused by a psychiatric disorder.

 

What Is Acute Psychosis?

 

Acute psychosis refers to a combination of symptoms that include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized behavior or speech—or a combination of these—with a typical duration ranging from a few days to up to one month.

 

Hallucinations occur when a person sees or senses things that others do not perceive. These can involve hearing voices, seeing objects or people, experiencing unusual smells or tastes, or feeling as if someone is touching the skin.

 

Auditory hallucinations are the most common. The voices heard during an acute psychotic episode may be male or female, familiar or unfamiliar, speaking in known or unknown languages. They may whisper, shout, be kind or hostile.

 

Another prominent symptom is delusion - false beliefs that are not shared by others and do not align with reality. For example, a person may believe they are being followed, that someone wants to harm or poison them, or that their thoughts are being controlled.

 

Grandiose delusions are also common, involving exaggerated beliefs about one's own importance or powers.

 

Acute psychosis can also impair cognitive abilities, causing problems with concentration, memory, understanding new information, and making decisions.

 

According to research, between 15 to 100 out of every 100,000 people develop acute psychosis each year. The first episode usually occurs between late adolescence and early adulthood, although it can also appear earlier or later in life as part of a range of disorders and health conditions.

 

The causes of acute psychosis are largely biological. A wide range of conditions can trigger it. In nearly one-third of cases, it is linked to schizophrenia. Psychotic episodes may also occur during the manic phase of bipolar disorder or during major depressive episodes.

 

Other potential causes include: prolonged sleep deprivation, severe infections (both acute and chronic), chronic physical illnesses, certain medications, toxic substances, and recreational drugs, psychological trauma (e.g., the loss of a loved one, abuse, or violence), complications during pregnancy or childbirth, neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and temporal lobe epilepsy are also known triggers.

 

Impact on Life

 

While the onset of psychosis is unpredictable, there are often early warning signs, including:

 

• Paranoia or suspiciousness
• Unusual or illogical thoughts
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Flat or unusual emotional responses
• Decline in personal hygiene or self-care
• Sleep disturbances
• Confused or disorganized speech
• Sudden decline in functioning

 

During a psychotic episode, individuals may smoke more and may use alcohol or drugs to try to relieve symptoms temporarily. While this might offer short-term relief, it can lead to serious, and sometimes irreversible, health consequences. Complications from acute psychosis can include:

academic or workplace problems, strained family relationships, loss of friends or support networks, risk of self-harm or suicide, legal issues.

 

However, early professional intervention can help prevent many of these complications.

 

Treatment

 

The first-line treatment for acute psychosis is medication, specifically antipsychotics. In most cases, treatment is provided in an inpatient (hospital) setting. Hospitalization may last between 2 to 4 weeks or longer, depending on the severity of the episode.

 

After the acute phase, long-term strategies are needed to prevent recurrence and the development of chronic mental illness. These include: ongoing medication targeting the underlying cause,  psychotherapy, support from family and community, effective psychotherapeutic approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Family Therapy.

 

Prognosis

 

With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, full recovery from psychosis is possible. Some people who receive early treatment may never experience another psychotic episode. For others, recovery means being able to live a full and functional life - even if occasional symptoms persist.