What is Psychosis?

This video explains the concept of psychosis, its symptoms, and common misconceptions. It emphasizes that psychosis can affect anyone, regardless of their background, and that early intervention can lead to successful management and recovery.

Visualize yourself out with friends. You're at your favorite restaurant, waiting to be served. Suddenly, you notice people are watching you. You begin to hear whispers of your name. You sense that something is about to happen. Your friends, however, seem oblivious to the impending danger. You try to alert them, but they're confused. You need to make them understand quickly before something bad happens. If you've experienced something like this, it could be psychosis. Did you know that a little over 3% of all people will experience psychosis at some point in their lives? That's over 11 million people in the United States alone. In any given year, about 100,000 teens and young adults will experience psychosis. Most people have their first encounter with psychosis between the ages of 15 and 30. People experiencing psychosis can have all or a few symptoms. Psychosis occurs across all cultures and affects people of all levels of education or income. So, what is psychosis? Psychosis is a term that describes what happens when people perceive the world around them differently than others. These differences can include seeing things that are not there, such as people, animals, colors, shapes, or even shadows. It can involve hearing voices or sounds that other people do not hear. Disorganized thinking can make it difficult for others to understand what they're trying to say. People with psychosis may share thoughts or beliefs that others close to them might find strange or unusual. For instance, they may believe that they have special powers, or that they're being watched, followed, or spied on. They may feel that they are receiving messages through the television or internet that are meant just for them. People who hear and see things that others do not may appear to be distracted or take a few moments to respond when asked a question. Sometimes, people experiencing psychosis may have a hard time concentrating, or their thoughts can get mixed up. Every person's experience with psychosis is unique. Unfortunately, psychosis is a term that can be misunderstood. A common misconception is that people with psychosis are dangerous or crazy. In reality, people experiencing psychosis are more likely to be withdrawn, confused, or frightened than violent. Another myth is that psychosis will not get better. However, symptoms of psychosis can be managed through support, therapy, and medication. People who have experienced psychosis can go on to lead healthy, productive lives. Recovery from psychosis is achievable through early intervention. Studies have found that the earlier someone gets help with psychosis, the better their outcomes will be. If you or someone you know may be experiencing psychosis, contact a mental health professional to start on the path to recovery as soon as possible.