Psychosis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Psychosis - Research Paper Example Suicidal tendency is more among patients with psychosis. It can occur as part of psychological diseases such as bipolar disease, delusions, depression, personality disorders, schizophrenia etc. Lots of reasons are cited for the occurrence of psychosis. Heredity, environment and some physical diseases such as HIV, brain tumor etc can play a pivotal role in causing psychosis. This paper analyses various dimensions such as causes, symptoms, treatment options etc of psychosis. Causes of Psychosis The exact causes of psychosis are still unknown to the medical science. However, psychologists and psychiatrists are of the view that along with biological reasons, heredity and environment also play an important role in causing psychosis. It is not necessary that psychosis is caused by one single reason. In many cases, more than one reason is associated with psychosis. Like most of the other psychological diseases, stress is associated with psychosis. Tough life situations can often generate in tolerable amount of stress. Suppression of stress often results in emotional outbursts or catharsis in the form of psychosis. â€Å"Being born in the winter months, being brought up in a big city, immigration, childhood head injury, stressful life events and use of street drugs† etc are some of the environmental factors which can cause psychosis (What causes psychosis, 2004, p.1). Environment can condition or strengthen some of our behaviors. For example, a person brought up in a city may struggle to adjust with the poor living conditions of a rural area. The luxurious life styles of the city need not be available in rural areas. Sudden changes in living standards or life styles can develop frustration and stress which may lead towards psychosis. I have a friend who has developed psychosis when he got employment in a city. He was an innocent person and was unaware of the malpractices in the city. When he faced challenges from the crooked fellow employees, it was difficult for him to adapt with it and subsequently he developed signs of psychosis and forced to resign from his employment. Genetic factors can also contribute to the development of psychosis. Our brain receives and sends different information and instructions with the help of neurotransmitters, transporters and receptors. Genes, the basic building blocks of our DNA, instruct our body in the protein manufacturing process. Genes can commit mistake in the protein manufacturing process which is often referred as mutation. â€Å"When a mutation occurs in a gene that contains the instructions for a brain protein, like a neurotransmitter, it may contribute to a chemical imbalance in the brain, which is one of the factors in the development of psychosis† (What causes psychosis, 2004, p.1) Alcohol and certain illegal drugs, both during use and during withdrawal can cause psychosis along with Brain tumors, Dementia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, chromosomal disorders, HIV, some pres cription drugs such as steroids and stimulants, Some types of epilepsy and Stroke can cause psychosis (Psychosis, 2010). It is proved scientifically that thyroid problems can cause psychological diseases. In short, heredity, environment and biological factors can contribute to the development of psychosis. Symptoms of Psychosis Confused thoughts, feeling about sped up or slowed down thoughts, preoccupation with unusual ideas, belief in other’