THREE in every 100 young Australians will experience a psychotic episode, which means losing touch with reality.
People with psychosis are described as psychotic and may exhibit personality changes and thought disorders.
Clinical psychologist Margaret Smith said psychosis can be triggered by many things, including stress.
‘‘A disturbance in the way the brain functions can cause psychosis and it often emerges from stress, drug abuse or social changes,’’ Dr Smith said.
‘‘It causes people to confuse what is going on around them.
‘‘They may have hallucinations or delusions which is most likely to happen in late adolescence or in the early adult years.
‘‘It is often frightening for the person and misunderstood by others, that’s why it’s important as a community to address it and seek help if needed.’’
Psychosis can be treated and most people make a full recovery, however without treatment, psychosis can totally disrupt a person’s life.
Psychiatrist at the mental health unit at Nepean Hospital, Ram Shankar, said psychosis was a treatable condition and not something that people should fear.
‘‘Most people assume that people with psychosis are violent but they are actually not at all,’’ Dr Shankar said.
‘‘They are victimised and often highlighted which can make them feel isolated and can cause depression.’’ He said that people who receive effective treatment for a mental illness are no more violent or dangerous than anyone else and this was important for the community to understand.
‘‘There is a weak association between violence and mental illness because it is not a symptom of psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia,’’ Dr Shankar said.
‘‘But if they don’t receive effective treatment or they misuse alcohol and drugs, there may be a slight possibility that they become violent.’’
Research by the Australian Institute of Criminology shows most violence is committed by men aged 18 to 30. They are far more likely to be violent than someone with a mental illness.
Symptoms: confused thinking, false beliefs, hallucinations, changed feelings or behaviour and anxiety or agitation.
Types of psychotic illnesses
Drug-induced: Use or withdrawal of drugs can be associated with psychotic symptoms.
Delusional disorder: Firmly held belief that things are not true.
Schizophrenia: Group of mental illnesses which affects a person’s ability to think, feel and act.
Bipolar: Experience extreme moods.
Psychotic depression: Major depression.
