Description Psychosis is a broa...
Description
Psychosis is a broad psychiatric term that describes a mental state in which an individual has lost the ability to distinguish between real and unreal thoughts and sensations. Having bizarre and false beliefs (delusions), seeing and hearing things that do not exist (hallucinations), and keeping one's body in a fixed position (catatonia) can occur during a psychotic episode. Individuals who experiment with illicit drugs and those with psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder are at risk for psychosis. Although uncommon, patients experiencing a psychotic episode can be dangerous and hurt themselves and other people.
Symptoms
Symptoms include bizarre and false beliefs (delusions), seeing and hearing things that do not exist (hallucinations), keeping one's body in a fixed position (catatonia) and bizarre behavior.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A complete history and physical will be performed. Imaging and blood tests may be required to look for other causes of the symptoms.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Urine or serum toxicology screen
Do I need this test?
Don't prescribe antipsychotic medications to patients for any indication without appropriate initial evaluation and appropriate ongoing monitoring. Metabolic, neuromuscular and cardiovascular side effects are common in patients receiving antipsychotic medications for any indication, so thorough initial evaluation to ensure that their use is clinically warranted, and ongoing monitoring to ensure that side effects are identified, are essential. "Appropriate initial evaluation" includes the following: (a) thorough assessment of possible underlying causes of target symptoms including general medical, psychiatric, environmental or psychosocial problems; (b) consideration of general medical conditions; and (c) assessment of family history of general medical conditions, especially of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. "Appropriate ongoing monitoring" includes re-evaluation and documentation of dose, efficacy and adverse effects; and targeted assessment, including assessment of movement disorder or neurological symptoms; weight, waist circumference and/or BMI; blood pressure; heart rate; blood glucose level; and lipid profile at periodic intervals.
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology
Workup:
A complete history and physical will be performed. Imaging and blood tests may be required to look for other causes of the symptoms.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Urine or serum toxicology screen
Do I need this test?
Don't prescribe antipsychotic medications to patients for any indication without appropriate initial evaluation and appropriate ongoing monitoring. Metabolic, neuromuscular and cardiovascular side effects are common in patients receiving antipsychotic medications for any indication, so thorough initial evaluation to ensure that their use is clinically warranted, and ongoing monitoring to ensure that side effects are identified, are essential. "Appropriate initial evaluation" includes the following: (a) thorough assessment of possible underlying causes of target symptoms including general medical, psychiatric, environmental or psychosocial problems; (b) consideration of general medical conditions; and (c) assessment of family history of general medical conditions, especially of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. "Appropriate ongoing monitoring" includes re-evaluation and documentation of dose, efficacy and adverse effects; and targeted assessment, including assessment of movement disorder or neurological symptoms; weight, waist circumference and/or BMI; blood pressure; heart rate; blood glucose level; and lipid profile at periodic intervals.
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology
Treatment
Treatment varies depending on the severity of disease, but usually antipsychotic medications are needed. Some patients with psychosis require hospitalization.