Psychosis Treatment in Delaware

Brandywine Center offers treatment for psychosis. Experiencing psychosis can be frightening both for the individual and those around them. Loved ones can try to bring the person back to reality, but when psychosis takes hold of the brain, it can be difficult or impossible to convince the individual of what’s real and what’s not. We created a program for treatment for psychosis to help people gain real ground in improving their mental health. Our team of licensed therapists helps people stop detaching from reality. While not all delusions may be eliminated, with proper help, the amount of psychotic episodes can be reduced. This allows the person to enjoy a more robust life at work, in school, and in relationships.

If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health issues like psychosis, call us today or schedule an assessment online to begin the journey to healing. 

What is Psychosis?

Psychosis is a symptom rather than an actual mental health disorder. It can happen as a symptom of certain mental illnesses. Someone experiencing psychosis often does not know it’s happening. They believe the event is real and will not believe others who try to point out that it’s not. Psychosis can be one or more symptoms that affect the mind and interrupt a person’s thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. 

Psychosis tends to first surface in a person’s young adulthood ranging from their late teens to mid-20s. Having said that, a psychotic episode can occur at other ages, too. Anyone experiencing this event should receive treatment for psychosis from a licensed mental health counselor.

Signs and Symptoms of Psychosis

Symptoms of psychosis can affect any of the senses. The person may see, hear, smell, taste, or touch things that are not there. Some people experience delusions, such as believing they have superpowers. Those who experience delusions may have irrational thoughts or beliefs, such as believing that external forces are controlling them and they fear for their lives. Common signs and symptoms that someone needs treatment for psychosis include: 

• Hearing voices, music, or other sounds that aren’t occurring
• Seeing people or things that aren’t there
• Smelling something, usually with a foul aroma, that isn’t happening
• Tasting something in their mouth with no explanation for it
• Feeling a touch on their body with no source for it.
• Feeling detached from reality
• Easily agitated
• Racing thoughts
• Speaking incoherently
• Insisting everyone is against them
• Irrational thoughts
• Feeling an outside source controls them

Causes of Psychosis

Psychosis does not have one common reason to point to as the culprit for the condition developing. Someone with a family history of psychosis has an elevated risk of developing it but isn’t certain to do so. It can come from faulty brain development or after experiencing an extreme stressor, such as a traumatic event. Psychosis sometimes happens to a person who has schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or a severe type of depression. 

Someone with a history of addiction to drugs or alcohol may develop psychosis. For older people, psychosis can happen as part of having dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Types of Psychosis

The types of psychotic disorders that can be diagnosed all have their own specificities but include the fact that the person has episodes of psychosis in common. The types of psychosis include:

• Schizophrenia – the most common psychotic disorder.
• Brief Psychotic Disorder – Temporary and usually brought on by experiencing trauma.
• Delusional Disorder – An obsession with the idea that someone or something is out to get the person.
• Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder – Severe addiction to drugs or alcohol or rapidly going off these substances can create psychosis.

How Is Psychosis Diagnosed?

Anyone suspecting they may need treatment for psychosis, have psychosis, or someone they love may suffer from it should make an appointment with a physician or a mental health counselor. A full assessment can be made, including the length and severity of the symptoms. If the person is diagnosed with psychosis, they can be referred to a mental health counselor who will work with them to minimize symptoms. Treatment for psychosis won’t necessarily stop the symptoms from happening, but it can greatly reduce them.

How Is Psychosis Treated?

Brandywine Center offers many services to help with psychosis. Treatment for psychosis must be done by a skilled and licensed mental health expert. This can include a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. Many people benefit from attending Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which helps a person come to terms with their current mental state and improve it by developing healthy coping skills.

Cognitive Enhancement Therapy can also help the individual learn to improve parts of their brain related to problem-solving and memory. 

Both of these therapies work well when used in conjunction with other types of treatment. A well-rounded approach helps the person gain the most ground and use what they learned after completing treatment. This includes family therapy, group therapy, holistic therapy, and more. 

Medications can also provide tremendous help for someone with psychosis. Antipsychotics are among the first line of defense. Many people also find success using antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.