Schizophrenia and other related disorders are usually followed by a series of attenuated psychosis-like symptoms known as “Attenuated psychosis syndrome.” Attenuated psychosis is a mental illness that can cause significant clinical anxiety and is distinguished by the onset of mild psychotic-like symptoms, which do not fit the full requirements for a diagnosis of any among the disorders of psychosis such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, as well as delusional disorder. “Attenuated” is a reference to weakening, which is why the disorder is known as attenuated psychosis syndrome. Research suggests that people experiencing such symptoms should seek out and receive treatment for mental illness. Consult the best Psychologist near me at TalktoAngel to learn more about attenuated psychosis syndrome.
People with attenuated psychosis have the highest likelihood of developing a psychotic disorder in the near future. Because of this, attenuated psychosis syndrome is called psychosis risk syndrome. It is estimated that between 10 and 40% of people who suffer from attenuated psychosis disorders may eventually develop psychotic disorders. Of those who get psychotic disorders, approximately 75% will suffer from schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or schizophreniform disorder.
Attenuated Psychosis Symptoms
Attenuated psychosis symptoms (APS) are the primary indicator to determine if someone has a greater likelihood of developing psychotic disorders. A variety of symptoms associated with attenuated psychosis syndrome are present, such as suspicion (uneasiness about friends that wasn’t warranted) or bizarre beliefs (such as the difficulty in distinguishing dreams from reality) as well as unusual perceptual experience (seeing shadows) and unorganized communication (going off-track and a confused speech). Other signs of attenuated psychosis syndrome include:
- You feel like you don’t hold the reins over your thoughts
- The idea that other people may have the ability to see your thoughts
- The perception of sounds as much louder than normal
- Too fast or slow
- Use confusing or ambiguous terms when you speak
- Feelings of superiority can lead to problems in family and friend relationships
Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome is characterized by psychosis-like subthreshold positive symptoms (e.g., perceptual and cognitive disorders) and adverse symptoms (e.g., avolition disorder or diminished affect), and general signs like anxiety and decline in functioning
Treatment
Clinical trials have provided promising results in treating Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome with psychosocial and pharmacological treatments. Prompt treatment by health professionals is to be offered:
- a thorough review of your condition
- medicine
- Psychotherapy
- educational, occupational, and social interventions for occupational, social, and educational
The treatment for psychosis is different according to the root causes. The treatment you receive will be specific if you’ve been identified with a mental health problem in addition.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotic drugs are generally suggested as the first line of treatment for people suffering from psychosis. They are effective in blocking the effects of dopamine, an ingredient that sends messages to the brain. They’re not appropriate or efficient for all people, since side effects can affect different people. In particular, antipsychotics should be closely monitored by those with epilepsy as well, which can trigger seizures, seizures, or fits. People with cardiovascular disease – which affects the blood vessels, the heart, or circulation, for instance, and heart disease – should also be monitored closely. Antipsychotics are usually able to reduce anxiety symptoms within a short time of use, but it can take several days or weeks to diminish symptoms of psychosis, like hallucinations or delusional thinking.
Psychological Treatment
Psychological therapy can reduce the anxiety and intensity caused by psychosis. There are a variety of treatment options for psychosis.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a form of therapy that focuses on cognition and behavior for treating psychosis. It is based on a deeper comprehension of how individuals come to terms with their experiences and the reasons why people are affected by them. Mental health professionals like clinical psychologists through online counseling may help you think about different ways to understand what’s happening to you. The goal is to help you attain goals that are meaningful and significant to you, like lessening your anxiety or anxiety, returning to work in the pursuit of education and training, or recovering your sense of control. You can also take help from an online counselor to understand the root cause of your psychosis and guide you towards learning effective ways to manage it.
- Family Interventions
Family involvement is believed to be a successful method of treatment for those who suffer from psychosis. It’s a means to help both your family cope with the condition. If you’ve experienced some sort of episode with psychosis, you could rely on family members to provide care and help. Although most family members are willing to assist, the pressure of caring for someone else’s needs can strain the entire family. Family therapy is a series of meetings that take place over three months or longer. The meetings may involve discussing your illness and how it may progress as well as the treatment options available and ways to support people suffering from psychosis, as well as finding ways to resolve the practical issues caused by psychosis, like making plans for managing the possibility of future psychotic episodes.
Feel free to seek assistance from the best Online Counselor at TalktoAngel for more information on mental health problems.