If you are struggling with psychosis symptoms, you don’t have to struggle alone. You can call The National Mental Health Hotline at 866-903-3787 to speak to a professional about psychosis symptoms and get help with mental health resources.
Nearly 100,000 adults in the US will experience psychosis each year. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of psychosis, seeking help is a courageous step toward recovery. Timely treatment guarantees better long-term outcomes, so you can lead a normal life again. We understand how overwhelming and isolating your condition can be. However, speaking openly and freely regarding your symptoms and struggles can be quite liberating and empowering. Amidst these struggles, there is a ray of hope in the form of psychosis hotlines. Psychosis phone helplines provide a non-judgmental, confidential and anonymous way to seek support without worrying about the stigma associated with the conditions.
What Are Psychosis Helplines?
A psychosis support hotline offers dedicated resources backed by empathetic and knowledgeable professionals ready to offer a lifeline for distressed individuals. The hotlines offer a compassionate and understanding space to air out your frustrations and find the solace, guidance and support you need to face your condition head-on. It ensures your personal information remains confidential, thus creating an environment of trust and security. If you are hesitant to share your concerns with those close to you, here are some of the reasons to use a 24/7 psychosis helpline:
- Receive the help you need anonymously and confidently: One of the main reasons to turn to the psychosis helpline is the guarantee of confidentiality and anonymity. Psychosis can strip you of your dignity and self-esteem and make you apprehensive about sharing your experiences due to fear of stigma and judgment. With a psychosis crisis hotline, you get a dedicated space to express your thoughts and emotions without fearing any repercussions.
- Get prompt non-judgmental support: The professionals managing these hotlines deeply understand all the challenges you are going through. They are better positioned to listen actively and offer non-judgmental support to your concerns and experiences. Sometimes, all you need to boost your confidence and face your challenges is an open ear and a compassionate heart.
- Access to tailored resources and referrals: A psychosis mental health hotline provides a much-needed gateway to a range of tailored resources and referrals that can speed up your recovery. Helpline professionals offer valuable information on local mental health services, support groups and treatment centers tailored to your specific needs.
Psychosis Hotlines and Resources
If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis related to psychosis, the following resources can provide immediate help:
- Crisis Text Line: Text and Online Chat
Crisis Text Line provides a Text and Online Chat that ensure those struggling with various mental illnesses receive 24/7 free support. You can reach out for help any time of the day through the following:- Online chat: crisistextline.org
- Text: 741741
- SAMHSA National Helpline
SAMHSA provides free 24-hour text and calls service in multiple languages for several mental health issues and substance abuse-related support. Reach the organization through the following:- Text: 435748
- Call: 1-800-662-4357 or TTY 1-800-487-4889
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
NAMI’s volunteer helpline provides free access to knowledgeable professionals who can answer your questions and connect you with valuable resources within your area. Reach out to NAMI through the following:- Text: 62640
- Call: (800)950-6264
- Mental Health Hotline
Mental Health Hotline is a free and anonymous support service connecting those struggling with psychosis with tailored resources in their local area. Reach out to the organization through:- Call: 866-903-3787
- NEW 988 Mental Health Emergency Hotline
The 988 Mental Health Emergency Hotline is a new support resource run by the Mental Health Crisis Line. It connects individuals to a crisis counselor in their locality regardless of their state. Reach out for help by dialing 988 on your phone. - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for immediate help through 800-273-TALK (8255).
What Is Psychosis?
Psychosis is not exactly a disorder in and of itself. Instead, it’s more a common symptom of certain disorders, such as schizophrenia. It impacts the way that your brain inputs information. When that occurs, things can happen that make you disconnected from the events of the real world. It comes with a variety of related symptoms. These include:
- Auditory or visual hallucinations, meaning that you see or hear things that aren’t really there.
- Delusions, which are beliefs about things occurring or personal attributes that aren’t really connected to reality. This can include the idea that outside forces are controlling events or that you have some sort of elevated status in society that doesn’t correspond to reality.
- Disorganized thinking, meaning that you’re incapable of processing or communicating rational thought.
There are often warning signs that people are likely to experience a psychotic episode at some point in their life. These signs include:
- A lack of self-care or hygiene
- A severe drop in grades in school or performance at work
- Increased signs of paranoia
- A total lack of emotional affect or disproportionate emotional response to certain situations
- A withdrawal from social groups, family, or friends
- An inability to see that they’re suffering from a serious medical or mental health issue
Many disorders are considered to be “psychotic disorders” because they cause a person to lose touch with reality. As noted, schizophrenia is the most common of these, but they also may include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or bipolar disorder.
Psychosis Statistics
It can be easy to feel like the only one fighting the raging war against psychosis when symptoms are present. However, statistics reveal the condition affects millions of other people in the country. Here are a few interesting facts about psychosis:
- Nearly 3% of the people in the US experience at least one psychotic episode in their lifetime
- In most cases, psychosis occurs during adolescence or early adulthood, with approximately 100,000 teenagers and young adults experiencing their first episodes each year.
- Women are generally at a higher risk of psychosis after giving birth.
What can cause psychosis?
Psychosis is a condition that makes someone perceive or interpret reality very differently from those around them. In essence, psychosis or psychotic episodes can make you lose touch with reality. The following conditions have been known to trigger psychotic episodes in some people:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Severe stress and anxiety
- Severe depression
- Lack of sleep
Different Types of Psychosis
Typical types of psychotic episodes include:
- Hallucinations: Hallucination is a condition that causes a person to see, hear, feel, taste or smell something that is not there. People with psychosis often experience some form of auditory hallucinations that make them hear voices or sounds that don’t exist.
- Delusions: Delusions are strong beliefs or perceptions that are clearly false. For example, despite contrary facts, you may believe you are rich and powerful.
- Disorganized thinking and speech: The hallucinations and delusions you experience can make your emotions and thoughts disorganized and confused. This can give way to racing thoughts, flight ideas and incoherent speech.
Psychosis Can Be Treated
Psychosis is a disorder that can be treated. Experts reveal that the earlier you get help, the better the outcome. This means taking steps now to reach out for help is a great way to boost your recovery. Here are some of the most psychotic treatments used:
- Medications: Antipsychotic medications are often the cornerstone of treating psychosis. These medications are effective in managing debilitating symptoms of psychotic disorders.
- Psychotherapy: Several types of counseling, such as individual, group and family therapy, can help people with psychotic disorders tackle severe symptoms.
Help is available
Psychosis can be a devastating condition. However, the good news is, it is treatable. The decision to leverage the psychosis hotline can be the difference between living a normal life and being a prisoner of your emotions and feelings. By reaching out for support, you embark on a journey toward healing, understanding and a future you control. If fear of stigma prevents you from seeking timely support for your mental illness, the National Mental Health Hotline is an excellent place to start. Call 866-903-3787 now.