Many of us are familiar with the more common mental illnesses. Conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD are relatively known within communities nationwide. But one condition that is rarely understood is psychosis, and this can leave people who experience psychosis in a difficult position. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of treatment methods for this condition, but one thing that patients and loved ones of people with psychosis often wonder about is whether the condition goes away for good. As a leading provider of addiction therapy programs, Steps to Recovery can help you break down mental health conditions like psychosis and understand if it can go away for good.

What Is Psychosis?

Psychosis is a condition in which individuals experience alterations to their perceptions of reality. During a psychotic episode, individuals will find it difficult to think clearly or manage their emotions, and they may also hear voices or see things that aren’t there. Psychosis mainly occurs in young adults and is a much more common condition than you might think. Some of the signs and symptoms of psychosis include:

  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • Severe Mood Changes
  • Disordered Thinking
  • Disassociation
  • Changed Behaviors

The Phases of Psychosis

People dealing with psychotic episodes often deal with it in three phases. Their lengths of time may vary from person to person, but you can, by and large, expect most cases to go through these three processes.

Phase 1

This first stage involves initial signs and changes to lifestyle habits. It’s not the easiest to pinpoint these conditions as results of psychosis, as they often overlap with other conditions. Some typical phase 1 signs include decreased motivation, depressed moods, anxiety, social withdrawal, and deterioration in functioning. 

Phase 2

During phase 2, acute symptoms of psychosis start to emerge in a person’s life. Clear symptoms like hallucinations and delusions begin to occur, and this is seen as one of the more critical stages of the process. Individuals during this phase must get the help they need to ensure a safe and timely recovery. 

Phase 3

Phase 3 is also known as the recovery phase. During this time, individuals can receive effective treatment that completely wipes away any potential reoccurrence of psychosis. While some symptoms may linger, mental health professionals will ensure patients completely recover before fully taking on the outside world. 

What About Drug-Induced Psychosis?

Drug-induced psychosis is one of the main reasons that young people are more likely to deal with psychosis. This condition usually occurs due to the use of substances that harm your brain, and in some cases, this psychosis can continue even after the drug is out of your system. The length of the psychosis depends on the type of drug you take. 

Methamphetamine psychosis is often short-lived, but it can be more long-term if constant use of the drug has led to brain damage. Opiates can also cause psychosis, often lasting as long as the drug can be detected in your system. Alcohol and marijuana are also culprits, usually lasting as long as the drug is in your system. But there are some signs that psychosis caused by marijuana use can lead to longer-term effects, even after the individual quits using the drug. 

Why Early Treatment Is Key

Thankfully, psychosis is a condition that doesn’t have to impact your life permanently. But the most crucial way to ensure that psychotic symptoms don’t last is to get treatment for early psychosis. The longer you wait after the first episode, the more you risk recurring episodes of psychosis. This is especially true if the psychosis is rooted in underlying mental health conditions. In addition, delays in treatment can lead to a longer and more difficult recovery time, so if you’re experiencing psychosis, be sure to get proper treatment as soon as possible. 

Treat and Recover From Psychosis With Steps to Recovery

At Steps to Recovery, we strive to be stagnant in the lives of every individual, providing quality care and treatment methods for various conditions like psychosis. Our psychotherapy programs are made for you and designed to limit the effects of psychosis while getting you back on the road to recovery. It’s important to get early treatment when faced with a potential psychosis diagnosis, and Steps to Recovery can help you get what you need. Contact us today for more information on our therapy programs, or call us at267.719.8528 to get in touch with one of our representatives about your condition.

 

Sources:

https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/June-2019/Experiencing-a-Psychotic-Break-Doesn-t-Mean-You-re-Broken 

https://www.earlypsychosis.ca/the-process-of-recovery/ 

https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/psychosis/how-long-does-psychosis-last/