Fact sheet about psychosis
Psychosis is a serious mental illness, affecting around three in 100 Australians. The cause of psychosis is complex, involving a number of issues including genetics, trauma or drug use. Symptoms can include delusions and hallucinations, feelings of isolation, fear and hopelessness.
Psychotic disorders include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, bipolar disorder, thought disorder and substance-induced psychotic disorder.
Symptoms of psychosis
Delusions
Having bizarre beliefs that reflect an altered sense of reality. A persecutory delusion is the belief that you are being spied upon or the target of a sinister plot.
Hallucinations
The experience of sensory disturbances, most commonly audible, including voices that no one else can hear.
Irrational behaviour and thoughts
The experience of disorganised speech due to thoughts being jumbled and confused. Moods and behaviour also tend to be unpredictable.
Treatment program for psychosis
Wesley Hospital Ashfield and Wesley Hospital Kogarah’s treatment programs for psychosis combine psychological therapies and medication. Our programs:
- monitor symptoms
- identify irrational behavioural or thought patterns
- help develop skills to cope with the triggers of stress
- aim to increase support networks.
