What To Do For A Loved One In Psychosis

In bipolar disorder, as in schizophrenia, psychosis can be a very frightening experience. If the psychosis is left untreated, it may become full blown and even harder to manage. Here I give some advice on what to do to help your loved one through a psychotic episode.

In psychosis, those with the condition may keep their symptoms to themselves for a while. In their book Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder, authors Julie A. Fast and Dr. John D. Preston define psychosis as, “a severe break with reality that can occur with mania or depression…”

I had this when I was undergoing hallucinations of Tom Cruise and having inexplicable, strange, otherworldly experiences.

Fast and Preston further explain, “Their thinking can become extremely disorganized. This results in very poor judgment and is often accompanied by intense fear and anxiety. During this confused state, the ability to reason is completely lost. Your partner may also have very odd or bizarre thoughts and behaviors.”

Delusions.

Hallucinations.

Paranoia.

Hyper-vigilence.

And psychosis can occur alongside other manic or depressive symptoms. If you see that your loved one is portraying this kind of behavior, it’s important that you identify whether your loved one is experiencing this symptom. Get with their doctor and them to discuss the possibility of this signature symptom of bipolar disorder.

How can you tell if they are having psychotic episode? Ask yourself:

• Are they talking about something fanciful, impossible, improbable or just plain nonsensical?
• Are their behaviors extreme (avoiding certain things, objects, usually normal events and activities)?
• Are they not able to reason?

As I mentioned, go with them to their psychiatrist. Hopefully they are able to understand and will cooperate to go with you. If they don’t have one, and they are at this state of mind (abnormal behaviors, speech), I would encourage you to consider getting them to your local hospital ER and see if they can get admitted for psychotic symptoms to be transferred to a psychiatric unit.

At this point, medication and therapy could be too late to serve as a quick remedy. In psychosis, there is no telling what may unfold if left untreated. They’ll most likely need round-the-clock monitoring under psychiatric doctors and nursing staff care. If they refuse to go to the hospital with you and the episode escalates (they begin acting out or getting highly agitated and especially if they threaten or become violent), you might consider calling 911 for emergency responders and trained crises intervention officers to help take over. If you’re going, take a copy of the GAMEPLAN: Mental Health Resource Guide with you.

Stay brave and bold,

Katie