People with psychosis have a severely impaired perception and understanding of reality. This may involve having fixed but untrue beliefs (delusions), seeing visions or hearing voices (hallucinations), as well as experiencing confusion and exhibiting unusual behaviours.
A common type of delusion involves thoughts of persecution such as being spied upon or conspired against. There may also be delusions of grandeur where people believe they have extraordinary powers, are on a special mission or think they are someone important.
Hallucinations are sensory perceptions that no one else can detect and can involve the sense of sight, touch, hearing, smell or taste. Hearing voices is the most frequent hallucination in psychosis.
When a specific psychosis disorder, such as schizophrenia, cannot be identified then it is referred to as unspecified psychotic disorder. The length of illness regarding unspecified psychotic disorder depends on the type and severity of symptoms.
Symptoms and characteristics
Together with the above, typical behaviour-based symptoms of psychosis (which may be more evident to others) include:
- social withdrawal
- neglecting personal appearance or hygiene
- poor attendance at work
- exaggerated or diminished/flattening of emotions (e.g. unexplained fear, anger or sadness, or alternatively being unresponsive)
- disorganised or reduced speech
- dressing inappropriately
- abnormal movements such as rocking, pacing, immobility and unusual postures
- inability to initiate and persist in goal-directed activities, such as doing nothing for long periods and displaying little interest in participating in activities or tasks.
Statistics
Three in every 100 people will experience an episode of psychosis at some stage of their lives (Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia Inc. 2004).
Workplace adjustments and solutions
There are various factors that would greatly assist people with psychosis to better manage their symptoms in the workplace. These include:
- reducing or eliminating tasks where the safety of self or others could be at risk (e.g. driving a motor vehicle, operating complex machinery, or handling dangerous chemicals)
- ensuring a gradual introduction to new or stressful situations under appropriate supervision
- allowing flexibility in the workplace (e.g. leave for treatment and recovery purposes)
- providing a supportive work environment.
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
For information about how to respond to a person who is demonstrating psychotic behaviour, refer to the 'Mental Health First Aid - Psychotic Behaviour' document (see related links on this page).
References and resources
MDA Internet 2005, Reed Group Ltd, Colorado, viewed 22 April 2007, <http://www.mdainternet.com (secure site)>.
Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia Inc. 2004, Understanding Psychosis, Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia Inc., Adelaide, viewed 23 April 2007, <http://www.mifellowshipaustralia.org.au/pdfs/Understanding%20psychosis.pdf>.