Understanding Psychosis
Psychosis is a mental health condition that is misunderstood. People often think that psychosis is a break from reality. In some ways, it is, but psychotic symptoms frequently overlap with the symptoms of some personality or mood disorders. Psychosis is not a personality disorder. Psychosis symptoms and early warning signs appear in someone’s late teens or early adulthood. However, it’s not limited to this age range. Sometimes children or older adults experience a psychotic episode. The episodes are linked to a mental illness or sickness, such as a brain tumor. Older adults are at an increased risk of a psychotic episode if they have a neurological disorder.
Since psychosis can be a symptom of several different mental health disorders, it can be challenging to diagnose. Psychosis can be the result of brain injury, traumatic events or experiences, or genetic differences in brain development. However, some of the mental health disorders that can have psychotic episodes include:
Since psychosis can be a symptom of several different mental health disorders, it can be challenging to diagnose. Psychosis can be the result of brain injury, traumatic events or experiences, or genetic differences in brain development. However, some of the mental health disorders that can have psychotic episodes include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Schizophrenia
There are psychotic disorders that disrupt a person’s quality of life and include psychosis. Some of these disorders include:
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Brief psychotic disorder
- Shared psychotic disorder
- Paraphrenia
- Delusional disorder
- Substance-induced disorder
Early Warning Signs of Psychosis
The early warning signs of psychosis often go undetected. They can be mistaken for stress or mood swings because of the slight change in behavior, perception, and thinking. Examples of early warning signs include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Withdrawing from or avoiding friends and family
- A decline in hygiene
- Having no feelings or strong inappropriate feelings
- Changes in behavior
Symptoms of Psychosis
The most common symptoms of psychosis are hallucinations and delusions, but there are other symptoms. Some of the symptoms are also found in the early warning signs of psychosis. A few other symptoms can be expressed as:
- Nonsense or incoherent speech (talking with made-up words and abruptly moving from one topic to another)
- Anxiety
- Lack of motivation
- Finding it challenging to maintain a daily routine
Psychosis Impacts the Quality of Daily Life
- Reliving or Re-experiencing Symptoms: This is the return of psychotic symptoms that were previously experienced. It can be a sign of relapse.
- Avoidance Symptoms: Some may withdraw from or participate in social activities because they fear that those activities can trigger anxiety.
- Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms: It’s common for someone to feel restless, uneasy, or tense. These feelings can create excitement, hypersexuality, or agitation.
- Cognition and Mood-Related Symptoms: Psychosis affects a person’s ability to stay focused or remember things. They can feel fear, confusion, or anger when experiencing a delusion or hallucination.
When to Get Help for Psychosis
Getting help for psychosis can be challenging for someone with mental health conditions that include psychosis or a psychotic disorder because they may not believe they need help. The presence of a hallucination or delusion creates a challenge for them to know what is real and what is not. They may not believe they have these symptoms, which makes it difficult to understand why they need help.
However, when the symptoms become dangerous to themself or others, it is time to get help. Often, the symptoms of psychosis or a psychotic disorder are so overwhelming that someone experiencing severe symptoms thinks of ways to stop or avoid those feelings. In some cases, this includes suicide or violent behavior. When these thoughts and feelings happen, they must contact a mental health or health care provider. Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility can quickly and compassionately provide the supportive care needed.
However, when the symptoms become dangerous to themself or others, it is time to get help. Often, the symptoms of psychosis or a psychotic disorder are so overwhelming that someone experiencing severe symptoms thinks of ways to stop or avoid those feelings. In some cases, this includes suicide or violent behavior. When these thoughts and feelings happen, they must contact a mental health or health care provider. Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility can quickly and compassionately provide the supportive care needed.
Ocean View’s Psychosis Treatment in Los Angeles
Many people can have the symptoms of psychosis for over a year before they’re diagnosed and receive mental health treatment. It’s vital that the time between the first psychotic episode and treatment begins is reduced. Starting mental health treatment early can increase the chance of a better recovery. An assessment (psychosocial assessment) given by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker will result in a diagnosis. We offer coordinated care represented by various team members focused on acute psychiatric stabilization and clinical improvement. The coordinated care makes it easier for patients, family members, medical, case management, and mental health professionals to collaborate and share information.
Coordinated specialty care includes several components, many of which Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility provides.
Coordinated specialty care includes several components, many of which Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility provides.
Our Levels of Care to Help Provide Relief for Psychosis
Psychosis can increase the risk of having harmful or uncontrolled thoughts or behaviors. However, psychiatric care and crisis stabilization can reduce those thoughts and behaviors. Ocean View understands that patients can require different levels of care to address their unique needs.
Inpatient Psychiatric Care
Inpatient care stabilizes psychotic symptoms that are dangerous. Once admitted, patients will receive 24/7 medical monitoring and care from our nursing staff, psychiatrist, and medical director. They will also participate in engaging and empathic group sessions while with us. This includes six daily therapeutic group sessions. These sessions include:
- Psychoeducational groups
- Recreation therapy
- Coping skills development
- Emotional regulation skills
- Daily one-on-one sessions with a social worker
- Individualized treatment plans that meet patients’ needs
Ocean View’s patients are placed in groups that reflect the severity of their symptoms, not their age, diagnosis, or gender. Additional accommodations of our Impatient Psychiatric include:
- Private and shared rooms
- Transportation coordination available
- Typical length of stay is 7–10 days (may vary)
Medication Stabilization
Patients who are admitted to inpatient psychiatric care are often on medication. Whether they’re taking antipsychotic medicines or antidepressants, our medical director will monitor their response to their medication and adjust the level or dosage when needed.
Outpatient Levels of Care
Outpatient levels of care provide empathetic, safe, structured support in an environment that fosters your understanding of psychosis while you learn skills that will develop a strong foundation for independence.
Partial Hospitalization Program
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a more structured type of outpatient care addressing a patient’s needs and symptomology. Our PHP includes engaging and informative sessions that create skills for symptom management. Patients attend our PHP five days a week from 10 am to 2:30 pm.
- Psychoeducational sessions: A social worker leads a psychoeducational group that will develop a better understanding of mental health disorders and how a patient’s disorder affects them. You will also discover their triggers, coping skills that work for them, and receive medication management.
- Recreation therapy: Trained recreation therapists lead activities that aid in discovering healthy habits to address symptoms.
- Fresh air breaks: Fresh air breaks give you time to process your learning and socialize with your peers.
Other services provided include:
- Case management
- Weekly medication check-ins
- Lunch and snacks
Intensive Outpatient Program
Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides structure at a step down level of care. You will see the same sessions offered in our PHP sessions a few days a week, simultaneously with our PHP sessions. However, you will also participate in learning focused coping skills and community reintegration.
Focus on coping skills is life-skills training. You will learn about:
Focus on coping skills is life-skills training. You will learn about:
- Financial planning and awareness
- Self-care, including personal hygiene
- Communication
- Community living skills
Continued Medication Management Support
Ocean View has an onsite Medical Director to help monitor your medication needs. You will have weekly visits with our Medical Director to check on your medication and make any adjustments to its dosage, or if another medication would work better for you.
Aftercare & Opt-In Patient Follow-Up
Aftercare is an essential component of your symptom management and clinical improvement. When admitted to Ocean View, you will develop a personalized treatment plan that focuses on your individual needs. This treatment plan is adjusted as you show clinical improvement. A case manager will provide case management that includes:
- Outpatient transitions
- Housing or facility placements
- Community support referrals
Once you transition back into your life, you can continue your symptom management in our opt-in patient follow-up services. You will have:
- Routine Check Ins
- Medication Continuity
Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility: Moving Forward With Psychosis Treatment in Los Angeles
Psychosis crisis stabilization is vital when you’re having thoughts of violence, suicide, or experiencing a psychotic episode. Your well-being relies on acute psychiatric crisis and medication stabilization. At Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility, we make moving forward easy.
Deciding if Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility Is Right for You
The decision to seek care at a psychiatric health facility can be overwhelming. You can worry about getting treatment that is right for you. Ocean View’s professionals are empathetic and are here to help you with the care you need. Our ADA-compliant health facility has 39 beds, and 80% of our rooms are private. You can feel free knowing you’re not in a locked facility. Plus, you’ll have the weather and beauty of Southern California surrounding you.
Our Admissions and Insurance Process
When you’re ready to seek crisis stabilization with us, you can rest easy knowing our admissions team is here for you 24/7. They will ask questions while they process your insurance information. The verification process isn’t overwhelming because most insurance plans include Ocean View in their plans.
Taking the Next Steps With Ocean View
Ocean View provides secure, structured care to meet your psychiatric crisis needs. Our welcoming admissions team can help you when you call or email us. Once you’re admitted, you will feel accepted and cared for.