Evidence suggests that early treatment—and a shorter DUP—promotes better symptom improvement and overall functioning in everyday life. There is yet inadequate proof to say conclusively that psychosis causes permanent brain damage.
Because untreated psychosis can result in irreversible structural brain damage, clinicians must act swiftly to provide assertive treatment.
Each person will recover at their own pace, and it could take up to a year of this type of rest for someone to recover. It is a good idea to gently encourage the person to do simple chores, hang out with family or go out to do activities they used to like when they feel up to it.
With effective treatment most people will recover from their first episode of psychosis and may never have another episode. It is important to remember that psychosis is a treatable condition and if help is sought early, an individual may never suffer another episode.
The good news, however, is that it is possible to heal and return to normal after psychosis. This happens most reliably when the required support system is present. With medication and additional therapy, some patients quickly recover. Others may continue experiencing less acute symptoms of psychosis.
It is suggested that psychosis is due to an affection of the supplementary motor area (SMA), located at the centre of the Medial Frontal Lobe network.
Meyer-Lindberg himself published a study last year showing that antipsychotics cause quickly reversible changes in brain volume that do not reflect permanent loss of neurons (see 'Antipsychotic deflates the brain')7.
It can happen to anyone: Three in 100 people will experience psychosis at some point in their lifetime. Psychosis does not mean that you are scary, violent and/or dangerous. You can lead a fulfilling life because psychosis is treatable. Psychosis is not contagious.
Psychosis can be very serious, regardless of what is causing the symptoms. The best outcomes result from immediate treatment, and when not treated psychosis can lead to illness, injuries, legal and financial difficulties, and even death.
Schizophrenia does not typically get better as you get older. The symptoms of schizophrenia may become worse over time, or they may remain the same for some people. Schizophrenia is a chronic illness that can be managed with medication and therapy, but it does not typically go away as you get older.
Your experience of psychosis will usually develop gradually over a period of 2 weeks or less. You are likely to fully recover within a few months, weeks or days.
Psychosis can be caused by a mental (psychological) condition, a general medical condition, or alcohol or drug misuse.
Psychosis may not be permanent. However, if someone isn't treated for psychosis, they could be at greater risk for developing schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. Schizophrenia is rare, but people who have it are at increased risk for premature death and suicide.
About 1 in every 200 adult Australians will experience a psychotic illness each year. A first episode of psychosis is most likely to happen in a person's late teens or early adult years. Treatment is available for people with psychosis.
Remembering psychotic experiences
Andrew X said, “I struggle to remember things from my psychotic experiences… like my brain has blocked them out deliberately – which I'm cool with”. However, psychotic experiences could also feel so much like reality that some people had vivid memories of them.
Psychosis is often described as a "loss of reality" or a "break from reality" because you experience or believe things that aren't real. It can change the way you think, act, feel, or sense things. Psychosis can be very scary and confusing, and it can significantly disrupt your life.
Such changes may include a stronger sense of self, a greater appre- ciation for life, greater spirituality, and better relationships (8–10). There have also been reports of positive changes among individuals who have had psychosis for many years and their families or caregivers (11,12).
Taking antipsychotics can increase your risk of developing metabolic syndrome. If you experiencing metabolic syndrome, this means you are at higher risk of developing: diabetes. stroke.
If you stop antipsychotics suddenly it can cause 'rebound psychosis'. This means that the symptoms of your illness return suddenly, and you may become unwell again. This is also known as 'relapse'. If you or your family or friends think you are becoming unwell again, you should speak to your doctor.
Antipsychotics are often recommended life-long for people diagnosed with schizophrenia or other serious mental illnesses because they are effective at controlling psychotic symptoms in the short term and might reduce the risk of relapse.
“What we do know is that during an episode of psychosis, the brain is basically in a state of stress overload,” says Garrett. Stress can be caused by anything, including poor physical health, loss, trauma or other major life changes. When stress becomes frequent, it can affect your body, both physically and mentally.
Traumatic brain injury can be the primary cause of psychosis or contribute to the development of a psychosis through secondary seizure disorder, increasing biological and psychological risk, and triggering psychosis in vulnerable patients. The relationship may also be coincidental.
Antipsychotic medicines, also known as neuroleptics, are usually recommended as the first treatment for psychosis. They work by blocking the effect of dopamine, a chemical that transmits messages in the brain. However, they're not suitable or effective for everyone, as side effects can affect people differently.