Schizophrenia & psychosis

• Hallucinations

  This is when you can hear, see, feel or touch something that is not there. Hearing voices is the most common form of hallucination.

• Delusions (unusual beliefs)

  This symptom is when you believe something that isn’t true. Some examples of this are people believing others want to hurt them or believing they have special talents, wealth or powers. Another common delusion is believing that other people can control their thoughts or actions, or the belief that people on the radio or television are talking to them directly.

• Thought disorder

  This symptom makes it difficult to talk to others in an organised way. When talking, you might jump from one topic to another.

• Cognitive difficulties

  This symptom means you may have difficulties with paying attention, remembering or understanding ideas.

• Changed behaviour

  This means you may find it hard to do certain things like school work, paid work or hobbies. Spending time with people becomes difficult. You will find that you may act differently to how you normally act. For example, if you are hearing voices, to others it may seem like you are talking to people who aren’t there.

• Negative symptoms

  Negative symptoms mean that you have a lack of energy and motivation, and are also unable to say or show how you feel. You may find it hard to make plans with people or follow through with plans. You could no longer be interested in activities you used to enjoy and find it hard to express any emotions. These symptoms may be connected with a feeling of sadness but often they are not.

Psychosis can be a symptom of a few mental health difficulties as listed below.

• Schizophrenia

  Schizophrenia is diagnosed when you have had psychosis symptoms for more than six months, with a serious decline in your ability to function. It is a mental health difficulty that can affect how a you think, feel and behave. People with schizophrenia may experience the symptoms related to psychosis, which can cause them to struggle with what is real and what is not. Please know that schizophrenia can be managed well with the right treatment, especially when started early.

• Schizophreniform disorder

  This is when you have symptoms of pyschosis for less than six months.

• Bipolar disorder with psychosis symptoms

  With this type of mental health difficulty, psychosis can affect your mood rather than your thoughts.

• Schizo-affective disorder

  This is when psychosis can affect both your thoughts and mood, either at the same time or one after the other over time.

• Depression with psychosis symptoms

  This is when you have severe depression with symptoms of psychosis.

• Drug-induced psychosis

  The use of drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine, LSD or alcohol can sometimes trigger symptoms of psychosis.

• Organic psychosis

  Symptoms of psychosis can appear as a result of a physical illness such as Parkinsons’s disease or a head injury.

• Brief psychotic disorder

  This mental health difficulty usually lasts less than a month and is triggered by a major stress or trauma such as the loss of a loved one.

• Delusional disorder

  This type of psychosis means having very strong beliefs about things which there is no evidence to support.

Please go to our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to some of the common queries we receive about mental health and our services.

• Websites

  • Shine is a national organisation providing information and support for people affected by mental health difficulties along with their family members. Phone: 1890 621 631.
  • Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) works with young people with psychosis-related mental health difficulties and aims to facilitate the early identification and treatment.
  • Rethink work to improve the lives of people severely affected by mental health difficulties and ensure they have a good quality of life.

• Books

  • Coping with schizophrenia – Steven Jones/Peter Hayward
  • Schizophrenia – The Facts – Ming T Tsuang/Stephen V Farone
  • Overcoming Paranoid and Suspicious Thoughts – D Freeman/J Freeman/P Garety.

   Check the Information Centre Book Shop for availability and a wider selection of books.