Ten myths about psychosis
We often have false beliefs about people who have psychotic disorders, which we think are true because they are part of popular belief. The vast majority of these statements are negative stereotypes without scientific basis, which provoke attitudes of rejection and intolerance towards affected people.
We invite you to identify some of the most widespread myths about psychosis in our society. Knowledge of this disorder can help us better understand the reality experienced by affected people and contribute to destigmatizing them.
Some myths about psychosis are:
1. Psychosis has no effective treatment
FALSE. There are several treatments to address psychosis: psychological, social, supportive... And medication is useful for treating symptoms, achieving stability and enabling the affected person to lead a "normal" life.
2. People with psychosis are dangerous
FALSE. People with a psychotic disorder are much more likely to be victims of attacks or abuse by others than to commit them. Only in some cases, when the person has not yet received treatment or does not follow it properly, can they have severe hallucinations or delusional thoughts that make them believe things that are not actually true, and they may end up harming themselves or someone else.
3. People who have psychosis have done something. It can't happen to me.
FALSE. We can all develop a psychotic disorder, regardless of gender, age and social status. Although sometimes its origin can be related to a very intense stressor or the consumption of toxic substances, psychosis is not caused by a single cause, but by the appearance and interaction of several factors. Some of these factors are biological, that is, there is a genetic predisposition, and other factors are environmental and lifestyle.
4. All drugs have many negative side effects and nullify the person's will.
FALSE. Not all treatments have the same effect, nor do they aim to override the person's will or produce the same undesirable effects. In fact, there are increasingly better tolerated pharmacological treatments with fewer negative side effects. With correct control and monitoring by professionals, the possible repercussions should be minimal.
5. Psychosis can be transmitted if I have contact with an affected person
FALSE. Psychosis has nothing to do with infections: it is neither transmitted nor contagious through proximity to a person who has this disorder.
6. People who have had a psychotic episode cannot recover and must be confined to a center.
FALSE. There is increasing knowledge about psychosis and this has led to improvements in pharmacological and psychological treatments to help the affected person in their recovery. People with psychosis can make a full recovery, they can study or work, start a family, maintain their social activities, etc. In some cases, when recovery is not complete, the goal is to ensure that the person has a quality of life similar to that which they had before the psychotic episode. In these processes, inclusion in the community plays a very important role.
7. People with psychosis are extravagant and have strange behaviors
FALSE. The media and Hollywood movies often misuse the words “psychotic” and “schizophrenic” to refer to someone who commits depraved or creepy acts or someone who behaves strangely and differently from the rest. Most people with psychosis are no different from us and the rest of the people, and go unnoticed on the streets of our towns and cities.
Mental disorders in film and television
8. Psychosis is hereditary
FALSE. Having parents or siblings with psychosis does not mean that you will develop the disorder. In fact, most people with psychosis do not have relatives with the same disorder. Although it is true that there is a genetic component in its development, there is no single gene that explains its appearance, as several factors, both biological and environmental, are involved.
9. Consuming cannabis has nothing to do with developing psychosis
FALSE. Although not all people who use cannabis develop psychosis, the active ingredient in this substance is closely related to the presentation of psychotic symptoms. There is increasing evidence that cannabis use, especially at an early age, is associated with an increased risk of developing a psychotic disorder.
10. Psychosis is related to the way your parents raise you
FALSE. Contrary to one of the most widespread myths of the last century, psychosis has nothing to do with parenting, education or behavior. This belief generated a great sense of guilt in parents and caused even more discomfort in the families of people with psychosis. The causes of psychosis are multifactorial, genetic and environmental.
Want to know more? Check out the most relevant information about psychotic disorders .
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