Psychosis (Schizophrenia And Bipolar Disorder) And Substance Use
7 Psychosis (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) and substance use
7.1 Psychosis
Psychosis is characterised by a loss of connectedness with reality. A person may develop false ideas or beliefs about reality (delusions) which in themselves may be based on false perceptions (hallucinations). People experiencing psychosis also have characteristic flaws in the ways they think. These are termed ‘thought disorders’. Examples are tangential thinking, loose associations between ideas, and incoherence. Psychosis significantly impairs work, family and social functioning. People with psychoses often experience poorer physical health. The worse the psychotic symptoms are, the higher the associated level nof impairment(251). Psychotic symptoms can occur in response to physical conditions, e.g. acute delirium with septicaemia. Alternatively, psychoses can be functional. There are two broad classes of functional psychotic disorders: schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Generally, schizophrenia is a chronic condition with exacerbations, but always with some background symptoms. Bipolar disorder is ...