Drug-Induced Psychotic Symptoms

18/08/2018

Schizophrenia is one of the most complex and least understood of all psychological disorders. But now scientists have found a switch of sorts that could chan...

22/07/2018

New Mental Health Act code of practice
Published 15 January 2015
Last updated 16 January 2015

A revised code of practice for the Mental Health Act 1983 provides guidance for professionals.

A revised code of practice for the Mental Health Act 1983 provides guidance for professionals.

22/07/2018

Helping others

The lack of insight associated with psychosis means people experiencing it aren't always able to recognise their strange behaviour.

They may be reluctant to visit their GP if they believe there's nothing wrong with them, and you may need to get help for them.

Someone who has had psychotic episodes in the past may have been assigned a mental health worker, who works in social services, so try to contact them to express your concerns.

Someone who is having a psychotic episode for the first time may need a friend, relative or someone else close to them to persuade them to visit their GP.

If they're having a psychotic episode that's rapidly getting worse, you should contact their crisis team or, if the team isn't available, the duty psychiatrist at their nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.

If a person who is having a psychotic episode refuses to seek help and is believed to present a risk to themselves or others, their nearest relative can request a psychological assessment. Your local mental health trust can advise you about this.

If someone has very severe psychosis, they can be compulsorily detained at hospital for assessment and treatment under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2015.

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Referral

The evidence supporting the early treatment of psychosis means you're likely to be referred to a specialist urgently. This will either be during or after your first episode of psychosis.

Who you're referred to will depend on the services available in your area. You may be referred to:

a community mental health team – a team of different mental health professionals who provide support to people with complex mental health conditions
a crisis resolution team – a team of different mental health professionals who treat people currently experiencing a psychotic episode who would otherwise require hospitalisation
an early intervention team – a team of mental health professionals who work with people who have experienced their first episode of psychosis

These teams are likely to include some or all of the following healthcare professionals:

a psychologist – a healthcare professional who specialises in the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions
a psychiatrist – a qualified medical doctor who has received further training in treating mental health conditions
a community mental health nurse – a nurse with specialist training in mental health conditions

Your psychiatrist will carry out a full assessment to help identify and diagnose any underlying mental health condition that could be causing your symptoms. This will help when planning your treatment for psychosis.

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Initial assessment

There's no test to positively diagnose psychosis. However, your GP will look at your symptoms and rule out short-term causes, such as drug misuse.

Your GP may ask questions to determine the cause of your psychosis. For example, they may ask you:

whether you're taking any medication
whether you've been taking illegal substances
how your moods have been – for example, whether you've been depressed
how you've been functioning day-to-day – for example, whether you're still working
whether you have a family history of mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia
about the details of your hallucinations, such as whether you've heard voices
about the details of your delusions, such as whether you feel people are controlling you
about any other symptoms you have

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Tardive dyskinesia (TD)

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is another common complication of long-term antipsychotic use.

TD is a movement disorder where a person experiences involuntary movements, such as twitching, tics, grimaces, tremors, and spasms. It usually starts in the face and mouth before spreading to the rest of the body.

In some cases, stopping taking an antipsychotic will provide relief from TD symptoms, but in other cases it makes the symptoms worse.

However, stopping medication isn't always safe and has to be balanced against the risk of having a relapse.

In some cases, TD can be a permanent condition.

There are also a number of treatments that can sometimes improve the symptoms of TD, including:

clonazepam – a medication used to treat epilepsy, a condition that affects the brain and causes seizures or fits
vitamin E supplements – check with the doctor in charge of your care before taking vitamin supplements as they're not safe or suitable for everyone

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a term describing a number of related conditions linked to weight gain, such as:

high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)
high cholesterol
high blood pressure (hypertension)
obesity

These health conditions can also increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and, most seriously, heart attack or stroke.

Because of the risk of metabolic syndrome, you'll usually need to have regular blood tests and blood pressure tests while taking antipsychotics.

If your test results show you have an increased risk of developing a condition such as heart disease, a number of preventative treatments, such as statins, are available to help lower cholesterol levels.

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Antipsychotics

Using antipsychotics on a medium- to long-term basis can cause a number of complications. Some of the more common complications are discussed below.
Weight gain

Weight gain is a complication of many commonly used antipsychotics. There are two main reasons why weight gain is thought to occur.

Antipsychotics can:

lead to an increase in appetite
make you less active

You'll probably be advised to take more exercise to help burn off the excess fat.

Read about getting started with exercise and how to lose weight safely.
Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a term describing a number of related conditions linked to weight gain, such as:

high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)
high cholesterol
high blood pressure (hypertension)
obesity

These health conditions can also increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and, most seriously, heart attack or stroke.

Because of the risk of metabolic syndrome, you'll usually need to have regular blood tests and blood pressure tests while taking antipsychotics.

If your test results show you have an increased risk of developing a condition such as heart disease, a number of preventative treatments, such as statins, are available to help lower cholesterol levels.
Tardive dyskinesia (TD)

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is another common complication of long-term antipsychotic use.

TD is a movement disorder where a person experiences involuntary movements, such as twitching, tics, grimaces, tremors, and spasms. It usually starts in the face and mouth before spreading to the rest of the body.

In some cases, stopping taking an antipsychotic will provide relief from TD symptoms, but in other cases it makes the symptoms worse.

However, stopping medication isn't always safe and has to be balanced against the risk of having a relapse.

In some cases, TD can be a permanent condition.

There are also a number of treatments that can sometimes improve the symptoms of TD, including:

clonazepam – a medication used to treat epilepsy, a condition that affects the brain and causes seizures or fits
vitamin E supplements – check with the doctor in charge of your care before taking vitamin supplements as they're not safe or suitable for everyone

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Self-harm

Self-harming behaviour is a relatively common complication in people with psychosis. A study found 1 in 10 people with psychosis also had a history of self-harm.

The risk of self-harm is thought to be highest in people who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis but aren't receiving treatment.

See your GP if you're self-harming. You can also call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 for support.

If you think a friend or relative is self-harming, look out for signs of unexplained cuts, bruises or cigarette burns, usually on the wrists, arms, thighs, and chest. People who self-harm may keep themselves covered up at all times, even in hot weather.

A person who's self-harming may feel deep shame and guilt, or they may feel confused and worried by their own behaviour. It's important to approach them with care and understanding.

They may not want to discuss their self-harming behaviour with you, but you could suggest they speak to their GP or a counsellor on a support helpline.

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

This factsheet discusses how to recognise psychosis, and how individuals, their family and friends, can work together with health care professionals so that psychosis disrupts their life as little as possible.http://oxleas.nhs.uk/site-media/cms-downloads/Recognising_and_managing_psychosis.pdf

22/07/2018

If you are worried about someone's alcohol or drug use contact today on the free and confidential helpline. Available 9am-11pm Monday to Friday and as a call-back service on weekends.