Approximately 1-2% of people will experience psychosis in their lifetime. Psychosis can happen just once (for example, when triggered by drug use), but can also involve multiple episodes or be experienced on a more chronic basis. Related disorders such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and depression or bipolar disorder with psychotic features may involve not just hallucinations and delusions, but also difficulties with thought, speech, and behaviour, as well reduced motivation, emotional expression and social involvement, or even difficulties with attention, memory, language, and information processing.
Over the last few decades, research has shown that specialized psychotherapies, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for psychosis (CBT-P), can be effective for people experiencing psychotic symptoms (typically when combined with medications such as anti-psychotics or mood stabilizers). CBT-P can help individuals better understand and manage their psychotic experiences, while psychotherapy can also assist individuals with other challenges associated with psychosis, such as extreme mood swings, social stigma, low self-esteem, shame, or complicated existential questions.
If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be experiencing psychosis, it is important to first seek medical attention in order to access proper assessment and treatment. This might involve speaking to your family doctor or accessing public health services, where medication might be the first line of treatment. Ongoing treatment may then include psychotherapy such as CBT-P, as well as rehabilitation, family support, and other mental health support services.
