Psychosis and psychopath
What is the difference between the terms psychosis and psychopath.
A psychopath is someone with an antisocial personality disorder who can be violent and may be a threat to others.
Psychosis is a short-term condition which if treated can lead to a full recovery. A person with a psychosis is more likely to harm themselves than harm others.
Today we are going to look at PSYCHOSIS
Psychosis is when someone finds it hard to think clearly and make good judgements This can certainly happen after having a baby due to sleep deprivation immune and hormonal changes as well as a genetic predisposition and circadian rhythm disruption. Not enough research has been done on Post Partum Psychosis ( PPP)
The main symptoms are:
- Delusions – believing things that are not actually true.
- Hallucinations – seeing or hearing things that other people cannot see or hear . Certainly in one instance a woman reported, after feeding her baby at 2 am she heard a voice of someone who had died warning her of an incident miles away that would happen later that week . The incident did happen . It is possible that through lack of sleep and heightened awareness that the young mother entered an alternative reality . Whilst that may have been possible it did not make up for her constant tiredness, lack of sleep and ability to function properly in the real world. Apart from PPP other causes of psychosis are :
Bipolar disorder
where a person may have episodes of alternating low mood (depression) and mania (high, elevated mood) .
Schizophrenia
When a person may have delusions and hallucinations that last longer than six months and affect social interaction in all aspects of life.
Severe depression
where a person has a severe and persistent mood of despair. Suicidal thoughts are common .
Psychosis Triggers
- Can be triggered by giving birth as already stated but also through the use of drugs , even alcohol if that is your particular key to developing the condition . Yet , as in the case of PPP , once you address the issue eg. Give up the drug or alcohol the psychosis will eventually leave you
2 Drugs known to trigger psychotic episodes include cocaine,
amphetamines, methamphetamine (crystal meth), MDMA (ecstasy), cannabis, LSD, ketamine and magic mushrooms.
3Stress and trauma are also obvious triggers as PPP suggests.
3 Strokes, brain injuries, tumours and dementia,which all affect the brain’s operations can also include psychosis and you may be familiar with a family member who has had a stroke and seems to drift in and out of another reality at times.
How can you tell if a relative is suffering from psychosis ?
Well they may be incoherent at times, as if they are drunk but you know they haven’t touched a drink. They may even be a child who rambles on incoherently and you think has an imaginary friend.
4 Indeed another sign is that they see or hear things no one else in that room sees or hears.
They may become preoccupied with that other world they seem to be in
5 They might behave in a guarded or mistrustful manner when you visit them
6 As with schizophrenia they may feel out of control of their own thoughts
They might appear frightened all of the time and unable to communicate emotion appropriately
7 Unable to take care of their own needs . This may already be part of their stroke / Alzheimer’s/ PMLD diagnosis
8 If they were able to take part in education / work previously they may have lost that ability
9 No motivation or even desire to take part in hobbies/ pastimes they once enjoyed
10 Can’t think clearly , seems muddled , lacks concentration
11 May make false accusations
All of these symptoms can be part of the condition they already have eg. Stroke victim; PMLD etc and as such a diagnosis might not even be helpful. However Treatment and Self help are available .
Diagnosis , Treatment and Self Help
As you know from following me on my website and channels I am a believer in therapeutic interventions. There are however psychotic meds available once a diagnosis is made so a referral is essential .
Self Help
If you suspect your child may be having episodes
- Try to make sure they get enough sleep. Sleep can help give you the energy to cope with difficult feelings and experiences. It is sometimes lack of sleep that brings on an episode.
2 Think about their diet.
3 Try to get them to do some physical activity. For some people a run every morning is all they need to get in the right frame of mind. For others a gentle walk is better. They need to do what suits them not you. They will not want to let someone tell them what’s best for them. Only they know that. Use attunement to find out . No one outside of their inner world has any idea . Expose them to what’s available either by watching sport on tv together or noticing what’s available locally. Let them decide then they own it. Try not to be a controlling parent . Neurodivergent children need to have the control because the outside world is so scary.
4 Spend time outside. This is a beautiful world given to us for free . Nature really is the best medicine.
5 Avoid drugs and alcohol. In fact often these are the triggers for some people and cause their psychosis. When did theirs begin? Was it after trying drugs ?
You can make the above changes yourself. You don’t need anti psychotic medicine to make those changes.
If you are interested in therapeutic interventions then try out my video channel on YouTube and see which therapy YOU are attracted to. Then try it.
School setting
If you are in a school setting and suspect a student is exhibiting signs then check what the trigger was , how did it start and what the key to support may be. Ensure you have therapy rooms that meet their needs and that they can take themselves to when they feel overwhelmed. Check out my videos for therapies you may wish to introduce into your school. Some of them cost nothing to introduce.
