Psychosis and schizophrenia are both associated with mental health but they have some important differences.
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, butpsychosisandschizophreniaare not the same.
Psychosis is a symptom that’s defined as “losing touch with reality.”
Laura Porter / Verywell
Signs can include hallucinations, delusions, and agitation.
It may be brought on by substance use, sleep deprivation, or conditions like schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that can cause psychosis.
People living with schizophrenia can experience symptoms of psychosis but not all people experiencing psychosis have schizophrenia.
This article explains the differences between psychosis and schizophrenia and addresses how they are linked.
Laura Porter / Verywell
What Is Psychosis?
Psychosis means a person is feeling a loss of contact with reality.
A period of psychosis is called a psychotic episode.
Psychosis is not an illness by itself.
Instead, it is a possible symptom of a number of different conditions.
Psychosis is a defining symptom of schizophrenia, but not everyone who experiences psychosis has schizophrenia.
Around three out of every 100 young adults will experience an episode of psychosis.
Psychosis can happen to anyone.
It can be resulting from:
A psychotic episode can also occur on its own.
It’s possible for someone to experience psychosis temporarily.
What Is Schizophrenia?
Psychotic symptoms can be part of living with schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia occurs in stages.
Once a person develops schizophrenia, they will have schizophrenia for the rest of their lives.
Can You Be Schizophrenic Without Psychosis?
Psychosis is a key symptom of schizophrenia.
Four of these criteria are signs of psychosisdelusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and disorganized behavior.
Describes an experience where a person temporarily loses touch with reality.
A mental health condition that has psychosis as a primary symptom.
Someone with schizophrenia experiences psychosis along with other symptoms like social withdrawal and trouble concentrating.
Symptoms
Psychosis is itself a symptom of a mental health condition, including schizophrenia.
Psychosis can also occur along with other symptoms that usually come on gradually.
Treatment
Psychosis can be a symptom of schizophrenia.
Therefore, some of the treatments for schizophrenia and psychosis can overlap.
Your provider will help you decide which treatment options are best for you.
Earlytreatment for psychosisis very important to help someone recover.
Treatment for psychosis depends on the cause but often involves antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy.
Antipsychoticsmight work by blocking the effects of the overactivity of a brain chemical calleddopamine.
This chemical affects emotions, planning, and memory.
The overactivity of dopamine is thought to contribute to psychotic symptoms.
Antipsychotic drugs generally fall into one of two categories: atypical or typical.
Antipsychotic medications work differently for each person and may cause side effects.
It’s important that you discuss the risks and benefits with your provider.
You should also know that antipsychotic medications can take up to six weeks to reach their full effect.
However, they may start to reduce symptoms of psychosis within hours or days.
When taken long-term, antipsychotics can help prevent future psychotic episodes.
Never stop taking an antipsychotic medication without talking to your provider.
Abruptly stopping can be dangerous and lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Psychotherapycan also be used to help people who are experiencing psychosis.
Treatments for schizophrenia will also likely include both medications and psychotherapy.
Summary
Psychosis is a symptom that refers to a loss of touch with reality.
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that has many symptoms, and psychosis can be one of them.
People living with schizophrenia often have psychotic symptoms.
However, all people experiencing psychotic symptoms do not necessarily have schizophrenia.
Treatment for both psychosis and schizophrenia usually includes antipsychotic medication and psychotherapy.
The combination of treatments will be based on what’s best for each person.
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