Psychosis
Welcome to our Psychosis self-help page. Here we will explore what psychosis is, what causes it, treatment and support available and provide advice for family and friends
What is psychosis
Psychosis affects different people in different ways. You may have a one off experience or you may have shorter or more prolonged periods of psychosis throughout your life.
Hallucinations and Delusions are the most common symptoms associated with psychosis. You may also experience disorganised thought and speech patterns.
Visual hallucinations are characterised by seeing images which other people cannot, such as people, faces, religious figures, or animals. You may also find that your senses are activated with no apparent cause; for instance, smelling things which other people are not aware of. Auditory hallucinations can also occur; in which you may hear voices which no one else can.
Delusions are powerful beliefs which are usually unrealistic. For example, you may believe that you have non-human powers or that you are being followed by an intelligence agency.
Why do people experience psychosis
There are many reasons why you may experience psychosis; for example, due to sleep deprivation, mental health problems like schizophrenia, drug use, genetic predisposition, abuse, trauma and physical injury
Click on the picture below to open up the ‘Understanding Psychosis’ booklet
What do others say who have experienced Psychosis
Louise discusses her experience of Psychosis
Reka shares her story of living with psychosis
Naomi shares her experience of postpartum psychosis
Jen explains how friends and family supported her after experiencing a psychotic episode
How can Mind in Bradford help?
Useful Contacts
Hearing Voices Network
Overview: Information and support for people who hear voices
Telephone: 01142 718 210
Website: www.hearing-voices.org
Intervoice
Overview: International community for people who hear voices
Website: www.intervoiceonline.org
Rethink Mental Illness
Overview: Information, advice and support for anyone experiencing mental health problems
Website: www.rethink.org
NHS Choices - Hallucinations and hearing voices
Website: www.nhs.uk
NHS Choices – Psychosis
Website: www.nhs.uk
Early Intervention Team (Bradford and Airedale
Overview: This service is for young people aged between 14 – 35, registered with a GP in Bradford and Airedale, who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis
Address: Early Intervention, Culture Fusion, 125 Thornton Road, Bradford, BD1 2EP
Email: earlyintervention@bdct.nhs.uk
Telephone: 01274 221 021
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm
Website: www.bdct.nhs.uk
Have you checked out our Online Directory? There you will find a vast database of local organisations who offer support and advice across a variety of areas
References
Nhs.uk. (2016). Psychosis - NHS Choices. [online] Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Psychosis/Pages/Introductionx [Accessed 10 Oct. 2016]
Mind.org.uk. (2016). Psychosis | Mind, the mental health charity - help for mental health problems. [online] Available at: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/psychosis/ [Accessed 10 Oct. 2016]
