Understanding Disturbing Behavior

The clinical word “psychotic” is often used to refer to person who has gone mad or insane. The psychotic state is characterized by a disturbance of perception or sensing things that are not really there (hallucinations); and disturbance of thinking or having beliefs that are not based on reality (delusions). Psychotic individuals also have problems in thinking clearly (disordered thinking), and have reduced ability to recognize if something is wrong with their thoughts and actions (lack of insight).
Psychosis is a condition in which a person has lost touch with reality which leads to an impairment of judgment. In the language of psychology, psychosis is considered more as a syndrome rather than an illness since the diagnosis is based on the observation of a set of symptoms and not on the identification of the cause of the psychological problem.
According to the Institute of Mental Health, a person may exhibit some unusual behavior during pre-psychotic phase which may include:
· Perceptual disturbances such as feelings that things around have changed;

· Mood disturbances such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, irritability and anger;

· Cognitive disturbances such as poor attention and concentration, difficulties in thinking, suspiciousness, and unusual beliefs; and

· Behavioral disturbances such as change in sleep and appetite patterns, social withdrawal, loss of interest in things, deterioration in occupation and academic functioning.
Some people may probably interpret these disturbing behaviors as symptoms of stress especially if the changes are associated with some stressful life events. Others may consider them as the other side of a person’s personality. In some cultures, mental or psychological illness is associated with supernatural causes rather than on the presence of physiological or psychological problems.
There needs to be a personal understanding of these disturbances to determine the help seeking behavior. Sometimes, even for those who suspect that it may be a mental health condition, the stigma of seeking psychiatric help may deter them from consulting a psychiatrist. No wonder, it takes so long before a person decides to seek professional help.
In psychiatry, there are a number of disorders that come under the general title of the psychosis. They all manifest different symptoms but all have a common denominator: the psychotic person is no longer in touch with reality. Some of the symptoms or manifestations of a psychosis include:
· Schizophrenia
· Schizo-Affective Disorder
· Manic-Depression (Bipolar Disorder)
· Mania
· Delusional (Paranoid) Disorders
· Psychotic Depression
Usually, the family or the person involved initially seek the assistance of general practitioners and counselors regarding the patient's change in behavior and inability to normally function as an individual. It is of utmost importance that there is a high index of suspicion in order to pick up cases of possible psychosis. It is also a must to refer them early to doctors for further evaluation and treatment. This is especially true if the person who is exhibiting pre-psychotic symptoms has the following risk factors:
· A positive family history of schizophrenia or psychotic disorder, especially among first degree relatives
· Vulnerable personalities such as those with schizotypal personalities
· History of occasional brief symptoms of hallucinations or delusions
Early psychosis treatment involves psychiatric assessments for individuals who have symptoms of psychosis or possible psychosis. An initial assessment is done by a psychiatrist together with a case manager, who may also be a psychologist. Social workers and nurses can also assist in the evaluation. If the individual is accepted into the program, the case manager and psychiatrist will continue to provide medications for use by the patient. Aside from drug treatments, counseling, psycho-education, psychotherapy, involvement in support groups, and family support are all essential to the success of the treatment of psychosis.