What is the theory behind this Therapy Worksheet for Psychosis?
Psychosis refers to a condition where one’s thoughts and behaviours indicate a loss of contact with reality. It is a primary symptom of schizophrenia. Early identification of psychosis can ensure better recovery. Psychosis is always a symptom and not an entire mental disorder in itself. It can even be a symptom of extreme psychological stress or anxiety after a traumatic event. Cognitive Behavior therapy is proven to be effective in managing psychosis.
How will the worksheet help?
This worksheet contains important information about psychosis that can be helpful for the general public as well as for clients who may be vulnerable to the condition. It will highlight types and symptoms of psychosis that can be recognized so that help can be provided at the right time.
How to use the worksheet?
This information handout can be used in mental health awareness campaigns and specifically for clients and family and friends of those clients who may be vulnerable to the condition or seeking help for disorders where psychosis is a possible symptom.
Therapy Worksheet for Psychosis
- Psychosis refers to a condition in which a person’s thoughts and behaviours indicate a loss of touch with reality.
- Psychosis is a condition or a symptom, it is NOT a mental illness in itself.
- Early diagnosis can ensure better recovery.
- Following are the three types of symptoms that can be recognized in psychosis:
| Positive Symptoms | Negative Symptoms | Disorganised symptoms |
| Positive symptoms refer to the ‘addition’ of something that is not present in reality | Negative symptoms refer to the removal of thoughts or emotions that are necessary to keep one going | Nothing they say or do makes any sense to anyone around them |
| HallucinationsVisual: seeing things that aren’t thereAuditory: hearing things that aren’t thereTactile: feeling things that aren’t thereOlfactory: smelling things that aren’t there Delusions: very strong false beliefs that have no evidence in reality. Some common types include:Delusions of persecution: someones out to harm themDelusions of grandiosity: exaggerated sense of selfNihilistic delusions: a major disaster is about to happenDelusions of control: someones controlling their mindErotomanic delusions: someone is in love with them Distorted perceptions: having a general difficulty in adjusting to their experiences or making sense of things around them for eg heightened sensory experiences | Feeling tired Losing motivation to do anythingWanting to isolate from everythingAvoiding social contactNot motivated to move or eatNot showing any emotions – expressionlessLosing motivation to do any taskNot willing to speak or speaking very less using monotonous toneShowing few gesturesSeem ‘lost’ or ‘out of it’ | Thoughts and behaviour are disorganisedThoughts and behaviour do not comply with the situationResponding in unintelligible speechNot concentrating on the topic at handInappropriate emotional responsesInappropriate responses to stimuli in the environmentBeing unable to perform simple daily tasksCannot organise thoughts to perform goal directed behaviour |
Reference
You can download this worksheet here.