PSYCHOSIS
If someone becomes confused and appears out of touch with everyone else’s perception of the world, they may be experiencing a psychotic episode. They may:
- Have hallucinations
- Strange and disorganised thinking
- Experience paranoia
- May appear quite flat
- Hearing voices that may not be heard by anybody else
- Strange and disorganised behaviour
- Have false beliefs known as delusions
- Have difficulty speaking
Some drugs such as hallucinogens, marijuana and amphetamines may trigger a psychotic episode.
Treatment of psychosis usually involves medication, and if someone is experiencing a psychotic episode, it is important they seek help from a doctor, a psychiatrist or from a clinical psychologist.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness characterised by disturbances in a persons thoughts, perceptions, emotions and behaviour.
It affects approximately one in every hundred people worldwide. There are a number of signs and symptoms. They are divided into two groups: ‘active symptoms’ that reflect new or unusual forms of thought and behaviours such as delusions, and ‘passive symptoms’ which reflect a person’s loss of previous feelings and abilities.
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be experiencing some of the above symptoms, contact your GP or school counsellor.
For more information, see the following links:
Mental Health Ireland
Information for all ages
Visit www.mentalhealthireland.ie
Childline
Support for those up to 18 years old
Freephone 1800 666 666
Online Chat childline.ie
Text 'Talk' to 50101
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Teen Line
Support for ages 13 - 18 years
Freephone 1800 833 634
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Jigsaw
Support for all ages
Online Chat jigsaw.ie
Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri 1pm - 5pm
Thurs 2pm - 8pm
Aware
Support for all ages
Frephone 1800 804 4848
Monday - Sunday 10am - 10pm
Email [email protected]
If you are concerned that you or someone you know is showing signs of mental distress, talk to someone.
