Causes of psychosis?
- What causes psychosis
- Who is most likely to experience psychosis?
- What should you do?
- Some web sites that may be of use
- Why getting help is important?
What causes psychosis
When psychosis occurs for the first time it is difficult to know what the cause is. It is associated with a number of medical conditions including;
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Substance misuse
- Some physical illnesses
Psychosis can happen to anyone at anytime but mostly develops during adolescence and young adulthood.
Who is most likely to experience psychosis?
Psychosis can happen to anyone and effects 3% of the population. Symptoms of psychosis most often begin between 14-35 years old and both male and females can be affected. Males tend to experience symptoms a few years earlier than females. Persons with a family history of serious mental illness are at an increased risk of developing psychosis
These famous people have all experienced some form of mental illness
Winston Churchill (politician)
Eric Clapton (musician)
Peter Gabrial (musician)
Jimi Hendrix (musician)
Marilyn Monroe (actress)
Charles Dickens (writer)
Isaac Newton (scientist)
Abraham Lincoln (USA president)
Spike Milligan (comedian)
Patsy Palmer (actress)
Tchaikovsky (musician)
Florence Nightingale (nurse)
And many, many more…………..
What should you do?
Don’t wait look for help
- Talk to your family doctor, they can refer you to a mental health specialist
- Ask questions. Be persistent
- Educate yourself. Get the facts
Here as some web sites that may be of use
www.eppic.org.au
www.iris-initiative.org.uk
www.nice.org.uk
www.pepp.ca
www.rethink.org
Why getting help is important?
One certainty for people suffering from psychosis is that it can have devastating consequences for young people and their families. Psychosis is the most debilitating of psychiatric disorders. Untreated psychosis is associated with a more difficult recovery and can lead to increased family distress, substance abuse, depression and increased risk of suicide. Appropriate, early treatment reduces the need for hospitalisation and promotes a full recovery. Psychosis is similar to other common disorders, in that the chances of getting well are improved if treatment is started at the earliest possible stage.
The new NHS Dorset came into being on 1 October 2006. The Trust was formed by the merger of North Dorset Primary Care Trust, South West Dorset Primary Care Trust and South and East Dorset Primary Care Trust.
If you need to contact services provided by one of the former primary care trusts, please use the existing telephone numbers in the relevant leaflets.