Brief Introduction to Schizoaffective disorder
What is Schizoaffective disorder?
Schizoaffective disorder is the amalgamation of schizophrenia and mood disorders, this is perhaps the reason why this specific condition is not as well defined as other mental disorders. People suffering from schizoaffective disorder are often found struggling in their personal and professional lives. Untreated patients find solace in isolation and tend to live lonely lives.
Brief History of Schizoaffective disorder
Jacob Kasanin in 1933 coined the term schizoaffective psychosis, before that this disease was treated as another mental disorder [1]. Since this disease is one of those rare mental disorders in which the patient suffers from both mood swings and schizophrenia, thus the doctors and psychiatrists initially thought it to be another form of schizophrenia. Kasanin was the first person who claimed it to be a special disorder as he thought that this mental condition of patient lied somewhere in between schizophrenia and mood disorder.
How Schizoaffective Disorder Works
Person suffering from schizoaffective disorder is accustomed of having paranoid thoughts and confusions which leads to delusions and hallucinations. Patients have also reported that their thoughts are pretty much disorganized due to which they tend to speak quickly and abruptly in order to overcome their confusions. Depression is another major symptom of schizoaffective disorder that affects the social life of the patient.
Current treatment options for Schizoaffective Disorder
Treatment of Mental Illness before modern medicine.
Doctors usually prescribe therapy and medication in order to overcome depression and mood swings.
Once the patient gets rid of his depression then the process of psychotherapy and counseling starts, which helps the patient come out of his shell. Antidepressants are also recommended by some psychiatrists but should be used carefully.
7 tips to help manage schizoaffective disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is a common mental disorder nowadays and can easily be cured following few simple techniques.
- Antidepressants help the patient get out of depression and also help with the mood swings. These are also found helpful in overcoming feelings of hopelessness and sadness.
- If the patient is having trouble with delusions and hallucinations then antipsychotics are the best solution. Doctors usually prescribe these to the patients who found it difficult to fight absurd thoughts and weird notions. These although prove mighty helpful but should only be used if prescribed by a specialist.
- Mood stabilizers also help if the patient is suffering from bi-polar mental disorder. As the patient goes through different phases of depression and mania, thus these mood stabilizers help the patient stay normal.
- Family counseling is an integral part of treatment of schizoaffective disorder as the patient trusts only few people, thus support from family can help patient recover quickly.
- Group therapy is also advised by some doctors as the patients get to know each other and easily open to people that are suffering from same disorder thus patients recover speedily if they attend regular sessions.
- Counseling is another remedy for this particular disorder and is found to be effective as the specialists use number of techniques which help in the fast recovery of patient.
- Patient himself/herself needs to show courage and should have a strong conviction which will help them come out of this trauma quickly.
References:
1. Schizoaffective disorder, [Available at]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizoaffective_disorder#History
Brief Introduction to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
This article gives a brief overview of OCD, find out more about Personality Disorders at our Public Health Information Session 'Anxiety & OCD' - 7:00pm 28th July 2015.
What is OCD?
OCD or Obsessive compulsive disorder is a mental disorder in which the person feels an anxious need to perform task, rituals or check, in repeatable patterns. These OCD checks can be things like: twisting a door knob 4 times, followed by turning off & on a light switch 7 times; every time the sufferer leaves the room. It is not uncommon for sufferers to maintain a state of cleanliness, with repeated hand washing a common symptom.
People suffering from OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder struggle to control their thoughts and activities. Many sufferers will admit that their need to perform these rituals is their biggest hurdle to overcome. To give you an idea of the condition, imagine your brain hijacks your body, flooding it with thoughts of dread & anxiety and the only way to stop this process is to perform a series of actions in a specific order; and if you mess up once, you will need start all over again. This gives you some insight into how burdensome OCD can be.
Brief History of OCD
In the late medieval ages, it was believed that people who experience obsessive or sexual thoughts were possessed by the devil, thus they were treated through exorcism. We have come along way since then with Sigmund Freud first attributed unconscious conflicts as OCD symptoms. OCD is an illness that affects people regardless class or social barriers, with many popular celebrities suffering from OCD [1].
How Does OCD Works?
OCD is characterized by baseless and unreasonable fears and thoughts that lead to repetitive behavior. People suffering from OCD may not realize that the obsessions and compulsions are unreasonable; however some do. If the patient tries to overcome these compulsions it increases the anxiety and distress. As a result patient is forced to perform repetitive tasks in order to relive and ease out the discomforting feelings.
Current treatment for OCD
Currently there a numerous treatments for OCD that include both medication and therapy. Anxiety medication is advised by doctors to aid in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive disorder.Therapy is another remedy for OCD and has proved to be one of the best treatments for OCD. Doctors also sometimes advise anti-depressants but this depends on the state and condition of the patient.
7 Tips to Help Manage Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Make a list of things that make you anxious and then separate the ones that are not realistic. Often the person feels powerless in getting rid of compulsion, noting down these feelings might help.
- A person suffering from OCD should accept and understand that they have a condition that can be managed & treated. Acceptance is often the first proactive step to controlling anxiety.
- Keeping a journal and noting down the ways through which you combated your fears is a great solution to get rid of your compulsions.
- Try to reduce the number of repetitions of your compulsions. For instance, if you wash your hands ten times try to reduce it to eight and then cut it to six, eventually you will get rid of your compulsion.
- Delaying the compulsion is also a good idea, for example, if you check the stove every five minutes; try to increase the time span to ten minutes. This is a good technique for pushing out the time between rituals and minimizing their impact on your life.
- Anxiety medication for OCD helps in some cases but do not take medicine without consulting a doctor.
- Therapy sessions have always proven helpful in these sort of situations and going to a qualified counsellor or psychologist will help you on your road to recovery.
OCD is an interesting mental disorder that demonstrates how we we as people can be trapped by our own mental anxieties. OCD is currently thought of on the internet as the need for perfection, seeing it referenced in memes of ill-fitting tiles & rotated man hole covers; but the condition is far more intricate and obstructive (in a persons life) then these examples. It is important to know more about mental illness, to improve the treatment and acceptance of mental illness in our society. If you found it interesting learning this brief insight into OCD, then you're should attend our our Mid-Year Public Health Seminar on Anxiety & OCD.
Lead by Clinical Director Anneke Bull, this session will provide you with a thorough understanding of Anxiety & OCD. Tickets can be bought at the door, booked via email, txt or purchase using the below link.
TICKETS ARE LIMITED. Book now to avoid missing out.
References
1. Michael Knowles, 20 Celebs You Would Never Believe Have OCD And Anxiety. [Available at]: http://www.rantlifestyle.com/2013/10/25/20-celebs-never-believe-ocd-anxiety/.
Brief Introduction to Anxiety
Feelings of worry and uneasiness about a situation with uncertain outcomes is known as anxiety. Anxiety is one of the most common problems in today’s world, with many people suffering in one way or another from anxiety (at some point in their life). Find out more about Anxiety.
This article gives a brief overview of Anxiety, find out more about Personality Disorders at our Public Health Information Session 'Anxiety & OCD' - 7:00pm 28th July 2015.
What is Anxiety?
Feelings of worry and uneasiness about a situation with uncertain outcomes is known as anxiety. Anxiety is one of the most common problems in today’s world, with many people suffering in one way or another from anxiety (at some point in their life). People suffering from anxiety can sometimes become easily concerned, worried and fearful; and this can have a significant impact on their life and their productivity.
Brief History of Anxiety
Man has always been anxious before encountering tense situations. It was not until 1869 that anxiety was given the status of an illness by a young doctor named George Miller Beard. He for the first time coined the term neurasthenia, which is the modern equivalent of anxiety disorder. He called this condition ‘nervous exhaustion’ and concluded that it affected the ambitious middle and urban class members [1].
How it Works
Overthinking about future is the first and foremost symptom of anxiety disorder. Brain plays tricks with the person as he overthinks and over calculates certain situations. In such a scenario patient needs to be with a person who could comfort and console him. These anxiety attacks don’t last long and a person needs to be in a good company in order to see through these attacks.
Current Anxiety Treatment Options
Apart from medication and therapy there are many other techniques that can be used to overcome anxiety. Meditation is a quick remedy for anxiety and is advised by many doctors and psychiatrists. Regular exercise sessions also prove helpful in overcoming anxiety. Good company is recommended to all patients of anxiety. Patients can recover more quickly form episodes with the support and company of close friends and family members. Building a good working relationship with a qualified counselor or psychologist can be quite helpful in the treatment of anxiety.
7 Tips to Help Deal with Anxiety
Dealing with anxiety can be quite difficult at times, however the following are some tips to help you effectively manage aspects of your condition.
- When a person is suffering from anxiety his brain starts coming up with ideas that are absolutely bizarre and have no roots. In this situation person needs to relax and should start questioning his ideas and thoughts. The moment patient starts questioning their thoughts, anxiety attack washes out.
- Visualizing good times is one of the handiest techniques that psychotherapists recommend. In case of an anxiety attack, the sufferer should close their eyes and think about positive thoughts (consider reflecting on a pleasant memory or event in your life). It could be anything a family get-together or sight of a loved one; this will help them manage the attack.
- Meditation is another useful technique that can be adopted in order to manage anxiety.
- Warm baths are recommended, as they have a soothing effect on the body and aid in relaxation.
- Find ways that will help manage stress. Keeping track of deadline will prevent sufferers from becoming overwhelmed by looming priorities; thus decreasing the onset of anxiety attacks.
- Picturing oneself successfully facing and overcoming all the fears is another technique that is highly recommended by psychiatrists.
- Regular sessions with people who care helps overcome moments of great anxiety.
Anxiety is a common condition in Australia, affecting men and women alike. Concern & worry that comes with Anxiety, often leaves lasting impacts on the sufferers and their close friends & family. Knowing more about this condition is the best way for you to help aid the treatment of Anxiety and end the stigma of mental illness. If you're interested in learning more about Anxiety & OCD, then you should attend our Mid-Year Public Health Seminar on Anxiety & OCD.
Lead by Clinical Director Anneke Bull, this session will provide you with a thorough understanding of Anxiety & OCD. Tickets can be bought at the door, booked via email, txt or purchase using the below link.
TICKETS ARE LIMITED. Book now to avoid missing out.
References
- Scott Stossel, A Brief History Of Anxiety, [Available at]: www.psychotherapynetworker.org/magazine/recentissues/2014-novdec/item/2573-a-brief-history-of-anxiety.
Brief Introduction to Personality Disorders
Personality Disorders are a deep rooted and maladaptive pattern of behavior of a specific type, that causes troubles when one reaches adolescence. It affects the relationships and performance of a person in a society. Personality disorders are further classified into three clusters with each having its own symptoms and traits. Personality disorders are curable and if provided proper aid and medication these disorders can be cured within a short span of time.
This article gives a brief overview of Personality Disorders, find out more about Personality Disorders at our Public Health Information Session 'Personality Disorders - 7:00pm 14th August 2015.
What are Personality Disorders?
Personality Disorders are a deep rooted and maladaptive pattern of behavior of a specific type, that causes troubles when one reaches adolescence and affects the relationships and performance of a person in society. Personality disorders are further classified into three clusters with each having its own symptoms and traits. Personality disorders are manageable and if provided proper counselling and medication these disorders can be effectively managed.
Brief History of Personality Disorders
History of personality disorders spans back to Greek civilization. Personality disorders were recognized properly by the doctors and physicians in 19th century. These mental health disorders were categorized into clusters during late 20th century. Personality disorders have been known to haunt man from a long time, in each era these disorders were treated differently. Modern researchers believe that ancient Greek and Chinese civilizations had a cure for these disorders [1].
How Personality Disorders Work
These personality disorders are divided into three clusters. Cluster A disorders are characterized by odd thinking, behavior, schizoid and paranoid personality disorder. Person suffering from cluster A disorder shows no or less interest in social affairs and always remains scared of unknown fears. People suffering from cluster B disorder are dramatic and unpredictable in their approach. These people are constant attention seekers but do not regard the feelings of others. Cluster C includes people that are extra sensitive and are excessively dependent on others. Moreover they fear rejection and criticism and are known to not take it well.
Current treatment options for Personality Disorders
Psychotherapy is the treatment that is being used nowadays for personality disorders; this lasts for six months at least, depending on the severity and condition of patient. These are sessions with a trained individual that helps the person recover emotionally and psychologically. Families play a vital role in the process of therapy and a supportive family multiplies the recovery rate at least by two times.
7 Great tips to help manage Personality disorder
Self-therapy is the best treatment for a mental illness and following the below mentioned simple steps will help the patient to recover speedily.
- Help the patient stay calm and in case of any panic attacks help the patient and talk to him about other things rather than talking to him about his fears and source of panic. Staying positive is the best way to fight a personality disorder.
- Do not take any medication without the proper consent of a doctor. Talk to a doctor or a therapist and seek their help and advice.
- Stashing the mind with positive thoughts is also a good remedy in case of personality disorder as this helps in the diversion of attention.
- Help the patient in avoiding anger and try not to seek revenge as the patient is not doing this intentionally, thus family and friends need to understand the complexity of situation.
- Be polite and nice to the patient and show them that small deeds of kindness help a lot, assist them in overcoming their fears.
- Muster up the courage and face your fear, remember that offence is the best defense.
Try to visualize yourself as a successful person who has left behind all his fears and has overcome all the hurdles and obstacles.
Personality Disorders are interesting conditions that illustrate the complexity of the human brain. Personality Disorders are often misrepresented in film & TV by evil villains like Hannibal Lecture. The truth of Personality Disorders is far more interesting that anything that could be penned by a screenwriter; but the stigma left by these stereotypes can seriously impede many sufferers from seeking the help they need. If your interested in learning more about Personality Disorders, then you should attend our Mid-Year Public Health Seminar on Personality Disorders.
Lead by Clinical Director Anneke Bull, this session will provide you with a thorough understanding of Personality Disorders.
Tickets can be bought at the door, booked via email, txt or purchase using the below link.
TICKETS ARE LIMITED. Book now to avoid missing out.
Brief Introduction to Depression
Depression has been prevalent since the dawn of human existence, but prior to the 1920’s, Depression was known as Melancholia. Depression is more than just feelings of sadness; it is a physically and mentally draining illness that impacts the daily lives of its sufferers. Failing to seek out treatment can lead to devastating consequences like social network breakdown, physical deterioration, self-harm and suicide. Get a brief introduction to Depression.
This article gives a brief overview of Depression, a, find out more about Depression at our Public Health Information Session 'Bipolar & Depression' 7:00pm 30th June 2015.
[Trigger Warning – Depression & Suicide]
What is Depression
Depression is more than just feelings of sadness; it is a physically and mentally draining illness that impacts the daily lives of its sufferers. It is completely normal to feel sad if something upsetting happens to you, whether losing a job or breaking up with your partner; feeling sad after these events is completely normal. Depression is a far greater and more pervasive mood disorder, where feelings of sadness or being depressed do not go away after a normal period of time (i.e. 2-3 weeks).
Depression is a serious illness and due to the stigma attached to ‘being depressed’ and societal ignorance of mental illness, sufferer can often go untreated or be afraid to seek help. Depression, like a broken foot or Influenza, is a real disease/condition that requires medical treatment. Failing to seek out treatment can lead to devastating consequences like social network breakdown, physical deterioration, self-harm and suicide.
Self-Harm & Suicidal Thoughts
If you or someone you know has been having suicidal thoughts or engaged in self-harming, it is incredibly important you speak to someone immediately about it. Speak with a person you trust, like a family, friend, counsellor or teacher.
If you need to speak to someone now about you depressed mood and suicidal thoughts, please call an emergency mental health services like Lifeline 13 11 14.
Symptoms of Depression
The following are some examples of symptoms of Depression that people with Depression may exhibit. If you read these symptoms of Depression and think ‘wow, that’s me’ or ‘that sounds like my partner/friend/etc.’, you should speak to your GP (or ask your partner/friend/etc. about their feelings and encourage them to see a GP).
Symptoms of Depression – Feelings
- Lacking confidence, indecisive
- Feeling guilty, overwhelmed, alone
- Irritable, unhappy, frustrated, miserable and sad
Symptoms of Depression – Behaviour
- Choosing to withdraw from close family and friends, not going out anymore
- Work/School activities are not being completed, struggle to concentrate
- Relying on sedatives and/or alcohol
- Not doing activities you used to enjoy, finding it hard to do activities because of their lack of fulfillment and/or enjoyment
Symptoms of Depression – Thoughts
- “It’s all my fault”, “I failed again/ I fail everyday”, “I am completely worthless”,
- “No one would come to my funeral”, “Why am I being kept alive?”, “I could be lying here dead and no one would know”, “People would be better off without me.”
- “Life is sh%t, and no one cares”, “My life is a complete mess”
Symptoms of Depression – Physical
- Feeling tired, sick & rundown all the time
- Headaches, churning gut, muscular pains
- Problems with sleep
- Changing appetite, significant non-attributable (i.e. increased exercise) weight loss or weight gain
History of Depression
Depression has been prevalent since the dawn of human existence, but prior to the 1920’s, Depression was known as Melancholia. The ancient Greeks attributed Depression to an imbalance of the four humors; with the term melancholia meaning ‘black bile’. In the 11th Century, the Persian physician Avicenna, described in his work ‘The Canon of Medicine’ [1] Melancholia as a depressive mood disorder and this became the standard of medical thought throughout Europe and central Asia for many centuries.
Whilst numerous enlightenment & romantic era scholars, physicians & psychiatrists contributed to refining Depression, it wasn’t known as Depression until 20th Century psychiatrist Kurt Schneider coined the terms ‘reactive depression’ and ‘endogenous depression’ in the 1920’s. In the 1970s, Us Clinicians proposed the term Major Depressive Disorder and over the last 50 years there have been numerous scholarly debates and research into Depression.
Getting Help for Depression & Suicidal Thoughts
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in Australia; and the 3rd most common of all diseases within Australia [2]. If you or someone you knows is displaying symptoms of Depression, then you should talk to a close person about your feelings; ask them to listen to you and refrain from offering advice, as you really just need someone to care. Seeing your GP if you are displaying some Depression symptoms is a good step; as they can help point you in the right direction and refer you to trained professional. Lastly, there a numerous organisations out there that can help you such as: BeyondBlue, Headspace & Lifeline. AB Consultation and Counselling is available to help guide you on your road to recovery and deal with your Depression.
If you found this interesting and you want to learn more about Depression, then be sure to purchase your ticket for our Bipolar and Depression Seminar; hosted on 30th June 2015 at 7:00pm.
Clinical Director, Anneke Bull is providing an in-depth presentation about Bipolar and Depression. Anneke Bull spent over 30 years working in the public mental healthcare system and she has seen it all.
So if you are interested in learning more about the interesting world of Bipolar and Depression, then you won’t want to miss out on this presentation.
Brief Introduction to Bipolar disorder
This article gives a brief overview of Bipolar Disorder, a, find out more about Bipolar Disorder at our Public Health Information Session 'Bipolar & Depression' 7:00pm 30th June 2015.
History of Bipolar Disorder
Whilst manic and depressed moods have been observed throughout human history, it was not until the mid-19th century that researchers slowly started putting together the bipolar puzzle. Jules Baillarger, a French neurologist, described a biphasic mental illness that saw sufferers move between periods of mania and depression; he called this condition folie à double forme or dual form insanity. Meanwhile in Germany, Emil Kraepelin coined the term ‘Manic Depressive Psychosis’, describing how untreated bipolar patients displayed periods of acute depression or mania, followed by periods of mostly symptom-free normality. It wasn’t until the 1950s, when German psychiatrists Karl Kleist and Karl Leonhard, coined the term ‘Bipolar’ as a sub-classification of manic-depressive reactions.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder currently has four disorders along the Bipolar Disorder Spectrum, they are:
- Bipolar 1 Disorder
Bipolar 1 Disorder is characterized by at least one manic or mixed episode and usually involves extreme/more severe mood episodes, ranging between manic and depressive episodes. Psychotic episodes may also be present. - Bipolar 2 Disorders
Bipolar 2 Disorder is characterized by the presence of at least one major depressive episode and at least one episode of hypomania (a milder version of mania). - Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic Disorder is a bipolar disorder describing hypomanic episodes with brief periods of less severe/long lasting depression. - Bipolar Disorders not otherwise specified
Bipolar Disorders not otherwise specified is a condition which does not fall neatly into the above 3 conditions, but still has some symptoms of the Bipolar Disorder (mania and/or depressed episodes).
Bipolar Disorder’s High or Manic Episodes
Manic episodes are periods characterized by elevated and/or irritated moods. These periods are the manic ‘highs’ of bipolar disorder and usually last from a couple of days to a week. Whilst in one of these manic episodes, a person may feel a sense of euphoria and boundless energy. This is further expressed through their rapid speech, racing thoughts and their lack of a desire to sleep. Other common elements of manic episodes include the sufferer being less concerned with what others think of them and the engagement of inappropriate or risky behaviours. Psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions and disorganised thinking & speech are also possible during a manic episode.
The experiences of a manic episode can be quite scary for some sufferers, whilst others find them very enjoyable (as said before, they feel really high). The latter is a great concern, as sufferers are less likely to seek help, as they don’t feel that there is anything wrong.
Bipolar Disorder’s Lows or Depressive Episodes
The lows of Bipolar Disorder are the depressive episodes; and as the name suggests, they are quite unpleasant. Whilst in a depressive episode, a person may have feelings of lowered mood; such as irritability, sadness, and tearfulness. They may experience a loss of interest in otherwise enjoyable activities and have lowered motivation and energy. Changes in a person’s appetite, weight and sleeping patterns; also occur. They may also have feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and have issues with concentration & memory. Thoughts about suicide are also not uncommon whilst in a depressive episode.
This has been a brief introduction to Bipolar Disorder, a condition that affects 51 million people worldwide, and over 285,000 Australians. If you found this interesting and you want to learn more, then be sure to purchase your ticket for our Bipolar and Depression Seminar; hosted on 30th June 2015 at 7:00pm.
Clinical Director, Anneke Bull is providing an in-depth presentation about Bipolar and Depression. Anneke Bull spent over 30 years working in the public mental healthcare system and she has seen it all.
So if you are interested in learning more about the interesting world of Bipolar and Depression, then you won’t want to miss out on this presentation.
A Brief Introduction to Alzheimer’s Disease
This article gives a brief overview of Alzheimers Disease, which is the most common condition that causes Dementia, find out more about Dementia at our Public Health Information Session. 2nd Session 'Dementia & Delirium' 7:00pm 16th June 2015.
Brief History of Alzheimer’s Disease
Emil Kraepelin
In 1901, a 51-year-old woman, Auguste D, was admitted to the state asylum in Frankfurt, Germany. The patient’s chief medical complaints were: cognitive and language deficits, auditory hallucinations, delusions, paranoia and aggressive behavior.
The patient was studied by Alois Alzheimer (1864–1915), a doctor at the hospital. Alzheimer moved to the Munich medical school in 1903 to work with Emil Kraepelin – one of the foremost German psychiatrists of that era -and when Auguste D died in April 1906, her brain was sent to him for examination. In November 1906, Alzheimer presented Auguste's case at a psychiatry meeting, and he published his talk in 1907. In 1910, Kraepelin coined the term 'Alzheimer's disease.
How Does Alzheimer’s Affects the Brain?
The two most significant physical findings in the cells of brains affected by Alzheimer's disease are neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Another significant factor in Alzheimer's disease is the greatly reduced presence of acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex. Acetylcholine is necessary for cognitive function.
Neuritic plaques, or patches appear in excessive numbers in the cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's disease patients. A protein called beta amyloid occupies the center of these plaques. Surrounding the protein are fragments of deteriorating neurons, especially those that produce acetylcholine (ACh), a neurotransmitter essential for processing memory and learning. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transport information or signals between neurons.
Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are twisted remnants of a protein called tau, which is found inside brain cells and is essential for maintaining proper cell structure and function. An abnormality in the tau protein disrupts normal cell activity.
Five Tips for Carers/Family Members of people with Dementia
Caretakers/family members play a crucial role in the quality of life of people with Dementia. There are several things that caretakers/family members can do for their loved ones suffering from this disease, the following are a few suggestions:
- Keep a sense of structure and familiarity.
- Try to keep consistent daily times for activities such as waking up, mealtimes, bathing, dressing, receiving visitors, and bedtime. Keeping these things at the same time and place can help orientate the person.
- Let the person know what to expect even if you are not sure that he or she completely understands.
- Use cues to establish the different times of day
- Involve the person in daily activities as much as they are able.
This has been a brief introduction to Alzheimer’s and Dementia. If you found this interesting, be sure to purchase your ticket for our Dementia & Delirium Seminar; hosted on 16th June 2015 at 7:00pm.
Clinical Director, Anneke Bull is providing an in depth presentation about Dementia & Delirium. Anneke Bull spent over 30 years working in the public mental healthcare system; with a specialization in aged care. So if you are a carer or just interested in learning more about Dementia & Delirium, then you won’t want to miss out on this presentation.
Tickets are still available for a limited time, so book now.
Brief Introduction to Psychosis
This article is a brief introduction to our 1st info session 'Brain & Psychosis'.
What is Psychosis?
Psychosis is a scary occurrence, where the sufferer’s brain functions is disrupted so as to make it difficult to distinguish reality from fantasy. In life we rely on our ability to separate our imagination from reality, if not, we’d probably curl up in a ball in fear of our own mental creations. When our mind breaks from reality, our imagination/fantasy permeates into the real world.
A common misconception is that a psychotic hallucination appears like ‘imaginary being’. This is poor characterization of a psychotic hallucination, as our imagine performs on a private 'mental stage' (which we can distinguish from reality).
A psychotic hallucination occupies real presence to the sufferer, making what they see, hear, smell, etc. as real, as you are to them. Psychosis does not have to involve hallucinations, it can include confused thinking or delusions. The cause of psychosis is not fully understood by science; however stress does have a role in triggering episodes; so does certain drugs like LSD, Marijuana or Speed.
What does Psychosis look like?
Acute psychosis can manifest as heightened activity, increased talking and rate of speech, irritability, overconfidence & euphoria. During these psychotic episodes, it is not uncommon for the sufferers mind to be preoccupied with sexual and/or religious themes. Religion as a common theme of psychotic episodes makes many sufferers feel as though they have had a spiritual awakening, opposed to a psychotic episode.
Treatment for Psychosis
Effective treatment for people who suffer or have suffered from psychosis is a combination of counselling/therapy & medication (appropriately called anti-psychotics). Many mental illnesses can cause psychosis (such as Bipolar, Schizophrenia, etc.) and psychosis can often be the first signal to get help for their underlying mental illness. Psychosis is an interesting group of illnesses that still requires greater research.
This is a brief introduction to what we will be teaching at our first Public Health Information Session on 2nd June 2015 @ 7:00PM. There are still some tickets available for this event, so if you want to get an even deeper understanding of the brain & psychosis, purchase your tickets online now.