Psychosis is a condition that affects the mind, where there is some loss of contact with reality. When someone is experiencing psychosis, they may see, hear, believe or feel things that aren’t real or true. Their thoughts and perceptions are disturbed and become disordered. About 3 in 100 people will have at least one experience of psychosis at some point in their lives. Psychosis is more common in some mental health conditions, like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression.
Experiencing psychosis can be very distressing and impact day-to-day life. There are many things that should be avoided when someone is going through psychosis, as certain actions can make symptoms worse. Getting the right treatment and support is important for managing psychosis. This article outlines 9 key things you should not do if you or someone you know has psychosis.
1. Don’t isolate yourself socially
When experiencing psychosis, it’s common to want to withdraw from other people and isolate yourself. The symptoms of psychosis, like hallucinations, delusions and confused thinking, can make social situations more challenging. You may feel like people won’t understand what you’re going through. However, isolating yourself tends to make psychosis worse over time. Having regular social contact and support from family and friends is an important part of recovery. It also helps to have people around to reality test unusual beliefs or experiences. Try to maintain relationships and social activities as much as possible. This protects against worsening symptoms.
2. Don’t make important or life-changing decisions
Psychosis involves a loss of insight and impaired judgement. When experiencing symptoms like delusions, hallucinations or confused thinking, you can’t accurately evaluate situations. Making major, irreversible decisions during psychosis could negatively impact your life. Avoid making any important, long-term choices about relationships, finances, jobs or living situations when unwell. Consult your treatment team or loved ones to help make sound decisions. Wait until you have recovered clarity of thinking before assessing complex situations.
3. Don’t stop treatment and medication suddenly
Treatment of psychosis generally involves medication like antipsychotics, as well as psychological therapy. When starting treatment, it may take some time to find the most effective medication at the optimal dosage. Consistency with the treatment plan is important. Stopping medications suddenly without medical approval can cause a relapse of symptoms. If you are concerned about side effects or have other reservations about treatment, discuss it with your doctor. Never make changes without professional guidance. Stopping treatment abruptly puts you at high risk of psychosis returning or worsening.
4. Don’t use recreational drugs
Using recreational drugs when experiencing psychosis is unsafe. Drugs like marijuana, hallucinogens and stimulants can trigger the onset of psychotic symptoms if you already have vulnerabilities. They also interact with antipsychotic medication and make treatment less effective. Substance use can lead to unwanted side effects, medication dosage issues, and increase the risk of relapse. Strictly avoid any recreational drug use during treatment for psychosis. Tell your doctor about any past or current drug use. If substance use is an issue, there are ways to get help.
5. Don’t make assumptions without checking facts
Psychosis often involves false beliefs not based in reality, known as delusions. When unwell, your thinking becomes biased and you’re prone to drawing incorrect conclusions. Before acting on any assumptions during psychosis, always reality test by checking facts or consulting others. Ask people you trust if your beliefs make sense. Cross-reference unusual ideas against credible sources. For example, if you think there’s a conspiracy against you, fact check whether there’s reasonable evidence. Don’t immediately act on instinct without confirming accuracy.
6. Don’t panic or resist the experience
Having hallucinations, delusions, or confused thinking can be frightening. You may feel overwhelmed, scared and powerless. However, panicking tends to make psychosis worse and more persistent. Promote recovery by keeping calm, acknowledging symptoms and focusing on treatment. Remember that episodes of psychosis do pass. Avoid resisting the experience or engaging with hallucinations. Accept the situation and be patient with the process. Stay grounded in the present moment. Use supportive therapy techniques like mindfulness meditation. Getting specialist help teaches coping strategies.
7. Don’t make changes to medication without medical advice
You may be tempted to lower antipsychotic dosages due to unpleasant side effects. However, this could undermine treatment. Symptoms may return and become difficult to control if the medication dose is too low. Only make dosage adjustments in consultation with your psychiatrist. If your medication causes difficulties functioning, there may be ways to treat side effects or an alternative option. Don’t take matters into your own hands. Always talk to your doctor before changing anything.
8. Don’t rely only on medication
Antipsychotic medication is effective at controlling acute psychosis. However, the long-term recovery plan should be multifaceted. Medication alone often isn’t enough. Supporting psychosocial treatments are crucial for learning to manage symptoms and improve coping abilities. Relying solely on medication creates a risk of relapse when stopping. Have regular therapy for building life skills, handling stress and functioning socially. Make lifestyle changes that enhance overall mental health. Ongoing psychological care helps sustain recovery.
9. Don’t neglect physical health
Looking after physical wellbeing goes hand in hand with monitoring mental health. When unwell, it’s easy to overlook self-care and adopt unhealthy habits. Avoid smoking, recreational drugs and excessive alcohol which counteract treatment. Lack of sleep and poor diet increase problems. Try to exercise regularly, even just going for walks. Maintain a structured routine. Psychosis medication can cause weight gain or metabolic problems, so get regular checkups. Monitor vitals like blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Staying generally healthy helps achieve stable remission.
Conclusion
Coping with psychosis involves being cautious and avoiding situations that could make symptoms worse. Key things not to do include isolating yourself, stopping treatment suddenly, using recreational drugs and making major life decisions when unwell. Always get professional support and talk to your doctor before changing medication or treatment plans. With the right mix of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions tailored to your needs, recovery from psychosis is possible. Being aware of what to avoid prevents relapses and supports long-term management.