Is your teen often seen detached from reality? If yes, then your teen might be suffering from early signs of psychosis in a teenager. Teens usually experience different types of challenges. Psychosis is one of them and can negatively impact their lives.
This blog is a complete guide to understanding the signs of psychosis in a teenager.
What Is Psychosis?
Psychosis is characterized by disorganized thinking patterns and distinctive perceptions about the world that confuse the patient about what is real and what is not. Moreover, psychosis can lead to the development of certain signs that are not considered standard.
What Are The Signs Of Psychosis?
The warning signs of psychosis that need special attention are as follows:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Lack of concentration
- Communication Issues
- Disorganized behavior
- Negative symptoms
- Catatonia
- Social Withdrawal
- Poor performance at work or school
Challenges Faced By Teens With Psychosis
It’s not unusual for teens to hide or disguise the signs of psychosis they experience. A teen undergoing psychosis often feels embarrassed, confused, and even afraid.
Parents should understand that sudden psychosis, including brief psychotic disorder, often occurs suddenly and is a bit unusual. However, on the other hand, the majority of people who have schizophrenia show signs of psychosis for months, even before they are diagnosed with it.
What Factor Causes Signs Of Psychosis In A Teenager?
The accurate causes of psychosis are not yet known. However, many factors trigger the onset of signs of psychosis in a teenager. The most common ones are:
Genetic Factors:
Recent studies indicate if a teenager has a genetic history of psychosis in the family. Then, they are at an increased risk of developing the signs of psychosis.
Substance Abuse:
If a teen uses addictive drugs or even alcohol, especially while being an adolescent, then this might trigger the signs of psychosis in them.
Trauma:
Severe trauma can be a leading reason for the development of the signs of psychosis in a teenager, such as sexual abuse, losing a loved one, and sometimes severe stress.
Mental Health Disorders:
Psychosis in teenagers can be comorbid with other mental health disorders as well, such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, or bipolar disorder. These mental health disorders can only worsen the existing signs of psychosis in a teenager.
Environmental Factors:
Environmental factors are an essential part of personality development. Similarly, the environment can be a significant cause of the development of the early signs of psychosis in a teenager, such as interaction with severe violence or stress-provoking events.
Brain Development:
Adolescence is the peak time when a person is experiencing changes and development in their brain structure. But, sometimes, specific changes in the brain can lead to the development of early signs of psychosis in a teenager.
Hormonal Changes:
Adolescence is a phase when a person undergoes a lot of hormonal changes. These can be the leading cause of the sudden onset of signs of psychosis in a teenager.
How Are The Signs Of Psychosis In A Teenager Diagnosed?
It is always advisable to consult a mental health expert if you think your child might have psychosis. A mental health expert diagnosis psychosis based on the symptom criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Moreover, a mental health expert evaluates your teen’s feelings and behaviors before the diagnosis.
The diagnosis is also made using different questionnaires and personal interviews with the family regarding any history of illness or family conflict. The questions revolve around the affected person’s thoughts, how these thoughts began, and how long these thoughts have been causing discomfort. Another way to diagnose a teenager with psychosis is through direct observations. The mental health expert observes the patient’s behavior, and if it matches with the criteria of DSM-5, then the teen is diagnosed with psychosis.
The Effects Of Psychosis On A Teen Life
Psychosis severely affects the life of a teenager, affecting different significant areas of their life. Some of the severe effects are:
Poor Academic Performance:
Signs of psychosis in teenagers can make their studies complex for them. Lack of concentration, memory issues, and unclear thinking are the primary reasons for poor performance at school. Teenagers can struggle to complete their homework, with increased absenteeism and decreased participation in school activities.
Social Relationships:
Teenagers with psychosis can experience paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions. Thus, it is challenging for them to socialize or even maintain their friendships. This results in a decline in social activities, increased chances of isolation and even feeling misunderstood by peers.
Self-Esteem:
Psychosis can shake the self-esteem of a teenager. This eventually results in decreased self-confidence. Such a teenager may feel different from their friends. They worry a lot about their future and often feel ashamed about their condition.
Family Issues:
The signs of psychosis in a teenager can lead to weakened bonds with family members as the child may feel that their family does not understand them. This results in increased conflicts and misunderstandings between the child and the family.
Elevated Risk Of Substance Abuse:
Some teenagers often choose drugs as a way to cope with the distress caused by the signs of psychosis. This only worsens their current mental and physical condition.
The Best And Effective Treatments For Signs Of Psychosis In A Teenager
Psychosis is not curable. However, it can be treated with suitable mental health treatments. The family, teachers, and medical professionals can help a teen overcome the signs of psychosis.
Family Intervention:
Family intervention is the best mental health treatment for a teen suffering from psychosis. Recent studies indicate that parental participation can be highly effective against relapse.
Family-focused interventions comprise psychoeducation, problem-solving therapy, and communication skills training. Additionally, having a supportive and understanding environment at home can do wonders in getting rid of the signs of psychosis in a teenager.
Psychiatric Medications:
Some teenagers with symptoms of psychosis can benefit from medications. Antipsychotic medications can aid in stabilizing specific brain chemicals that contribute to the onset of hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking in a teenager.
Antipsychotics are of two types: one is typical, and the other is atypical; typical antipsychotics are not prescribed often. On the other hand, Atypical antipsychotics are usually seen to have lesser side effects.
Some of the commonly prescribed typical antipsychotics are:
- Trilafon
- Thorazine
- Haldol
Some common examples of typical antipsychotics are:
- Zyprexa
- Seroquel
- Risperdal
- Abilify
Psychotherapy:
Individual therapy plays a significant role in the treatment of a teen suffering from psychosis. There are several other psychotherapy options as well, which can be used as a combination with medications.
One of the widely used is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The primary focus of CBT is to help the teenager with psychosis identify their negative thought patterns and change them into positive ones. Other common forms of psychotherapy include:
- Group Therapy
- Electroconvulsive Therapy
- Animal Assisted Therapy
- Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy
Concluding Thoughts!
Psychosis itself is a severe mental health illness, and when a teenager experiences it. They can experience several troubles in their academic and social life. Therefore, recognition of the early signs of psychosis in a teenager is crucial, and seeking a suitable mental health treatment is also necessary. The best treatment methods include family intervention, psychotherapy, and psychiatric medications. To cater to all these issues, Inland Empire Behavioral Group offers the best mental health treatments available for treating early signs of psychosis in a teenager. With the proper mental health support, your teenager can adopt healthy ways to overcome psychosis signs and lead fulfilling lives.
