PSYCHOSES

Introduction

This refers to a state or condition in which the person has a loss of contact with reality. There is a characteristic loss of insight or personal awareness that their thinking is odd, bizarre or severely out of cultural context. Decision making is impaired as the person is much more internally preoccupied than aware of their surroundings.

Delusions occur in psychoses. The false fixed belief, often arising from a misinterpretation of experience, may take on a theme of grandiosity (supernatural), religiosity (son of God, God, etc.), persecution (victim of a plot to harm them), somatic (bodily part, organ, function that is impaired) or referential (ability to hear ones thoughts broadcast through space or others thoughts take on a personal meaning such as interpreting dialog from a TV or radio show as meant only for them) are examples of delusions.

This state may be chronic and enduring with an obvious disruption in the person's ability to maintain a stable lifestyle and relationships or may be sudden and acute requiring immediate hospitalization. A person who is psychotic is at significantly increased risk of acting on their delusions and cause harm to themselves or to others.

Psychoses can occur in many conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, post partum, PTSD medication or substance abuse induced, brain injury, dementia, and certain medical conditions.

How can Dr. Kohn help you?

Dr. Kohn uses a variety of evaluation forms and both Assessment and Treatment Tools in his Practice. He uses a Holistic view of the patient and the problem. Dr. Kohn uses a Biological-Psychological-Social framework to assess your symptoms because he knows that the proper diagnosis leads to proper treatment.

The tools that evaluate brain function such as SPECT, EEG, Event Related Potentials may have a role in separating this mental illness from a neurological illness.