You can look for specific changes in their thinking, beliefs, perceptions, behavior, and feelings that may indicate psychosis.
Understanding the signs of psychosis involves recognizing significant shifts in how a person perceives reality and interacts with the world. While only a medical professional can make a diagnosis, certain key indicators might suggest that your partner could be experiencing a psychotic episode. Based on common signs, here are the areas to observe:
Key Signs to Look For
Psychosis is often characterized by a combination of these symptoms, which can vary in intensity.
1. Confused Thinking
One of the primary indicators is confused thinking. This can manifest as difficulty concentrating, following conversations, or expressing thoughts clearly. Their ideas might seem jumbled or illogical to you, making communication challenging.
- Examples of confused thinking:
- Difficulty focusing on tasks.
- Speaking in a way that is hard to follow.
- Rapidly switching between unrelated topics.
2. Delusions
Delusions are false beliefs that are not based in reality and are not shared by others. Your partner might firmly believe things that are clearly untrue or highly improbable, despite evidence to the contrary.
- Types of delusions can include:
- Persecutory delusions: Believing they are being harmed, harassed, or conspired against.
- Grandiose delusions: Believing they have special powers, fame, or importance.
- Referential delusions: Believing that random events, objects, or people have a specific meaning meant for them.
3. Hallucinations
Hallucinations involve perceiving things that aren't actually there. This can affect any of the five senses: hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or feeling something that isn't present.
- Common hallucinations:
- Auditory hallucinations: Hearing voices or sounds when no one is speaking.
- Visual hallucinations: Seeing people, objects, or patterns that aren't there.
- Olfactory/Gustatory hallucinations: Smelling or tasting things that don't exist.
- Tactile hallucinations: Feeling sensations on the skin, like crawling insects, when nothing is there.
4. Changed Behaviours and Feelings
Significant changed behaviours and feelings are also tell-tale signs. These changes can be sudden or develop gradually and represent a departure from their usual self.
- Behavioural changes might include:
- Becoming withdrawn or isolated.
- Neglecting personal hygiene.
- Behaving erratically or unpredictably.
- Increased agitation or sudden anger.
- Difficulty functioning at work, school, or home.
- Changes in feelings might include:
- Experiencing intense mood swings.
- Showing a lack of emotional expression (flat affect).
- Feeling unusually suspicious or fearful.
Summarizing the Signs
Here is a simple summary of the key signs derived from the provided information:
| Sign | Description | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Confused Thinking | Difficulty processing thoughts clearly | Jumbled speech, hard to follow logic, trouble concentrating |
| Delusions | False beliefs not shared by others | Firmly held beliefs contrary to evidence (e.g., being watched, having powers) |
| Hallucinations | Perceiving things that aren't real (hearing, seeing, etc.) | Reacting to unseen stimuli, reporting sensory experiences others don't share |
| Changed Behaviours & Feelings | Noticeable shifts in actions and emotions | Withdrawal, poor self-care, erratic actions, mood swings, lack of emotion, fear |
Important Note: Experiencing one or two of these symptoms occasionally does not necessarily mean your partner has psychosis. Psychosis involves a significant break from reality that typically affects daily functioning. If you observe these signs and are concerned about your partner's well-being, seeking professional help is crucial.
