How Long Does Psychosis Last: Impact On Mental Health

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get out of psychosis?

Psychotic symptoms may last anywhere from days to years depending on the underlying cause, whether the person experiencing psychosis is receiving ongoing treatment, and the severity of the psychosis and underlying conditions. The inclusion of the prodromal and recovery stages further complicates the issue of defining how long the average psychotic episode lasts. Prodromal symptoms appear before the onset of the psychotic episode, and it is not always clear when prodromal symptoms escalate to full psychosis. Similarly, a person might experience semi-psychotic symptoms as they recover from the episode. 

What triggers psychosis?

Many things can trigger psychosis, but some of the most commonly reported include sleep deprivation and high stress. Genetics and other environmental factors can also play a role; those with a family history of psychotic illness are at a greater risk of experiencing a psychotic episode. Chronic alcohol and drug use can also induce psychotic episodes, but it is not yet possible to define who will be most adversely affected. 

An underlying mental illness might also change how psychosis appears, as can a significant head injury. Those with conditions characterized by brief, recurrent psychotic episodes often learn to recognize triggers and stressors that are likely to induce psychosis. Those experiencing a first-episode psychosis may not be able to identify the specific trigger that led to the psychotic episode. Many people do not experience further episodes and do not need to learn what triggered their psychosis. 

What are the three stages of psychosis?

Evidence suggests that psychosis can be described in three phases: prodromal, acute, and recovery. The prodrome phase is a “ramp-up” of psychotic symptoms. A person might experience confused thinking, irritability, and sleep disturbances. The symptoms of the prodromal stage gradually worsen before peaking in the acute stage. The symptoms of psychosis begin to reach their highest severity. A person might hear voices, see things that no one else can see, or voice false beliefs that are obviously untrue, such as believing they have special powers like reading another person’s thoughts. 

A gradual reduction of the psychosis episode symptoms characterizes the recovery stage. The recovery stage usually begins after a person receives treatment. They may require ongoing support or specific treatment to continue to recover. Generally, evaluation and treatment from medical and mental health professionals offer the greatest likelihood of preventing psychosis from returning. 

How do you get out of psychosis naturally?

Psychosis can induce severe symptoms that directly affect a person’s ability to reason logically and make decisions based on reality. Negative symptoms - or the absence of normally present healthy behaviors - may include reduced motivation, impaired emotional processing, and social withdrawal. Positive symptoms - characterized by the presence of unusual thoughts or behaviors - may include delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized behaviors. 

A person experiencing a psychotic episode typically requires professional attention to address the symptoms. By definition, those experiencing psychosis have trouble discerning fantasy from reality and will likely find it challenging to find the help they need independently. While some episodes might resolve spontaneously, others will require medical intervention. In rare cases, the psychosis might not end without medical intervention. A specific drug or other treatment may be required for the symptoms to resolve. Because of the severity of the condition and the necessity of treatment, it is typically unwise to try to manage psychosis naturally and without professional guidance. 

Does the brain go back to normal after psychosis?

Whether the brain goes back to normal after psychosis depends on the underlying cause of psychotic symptoms. Those with mental health conditions associated with psychosis, such as schizophrenia or delusional disorder, often demonstrate abnormal brain anatomy or function in neuroimaging studies. Their brain structure will not change after the psychosis resolves, and additional treatment will likely be required to prevent future episodes. 

However, in other cases, the brain may change after psychosis or underlying conditions are treated. For example, substance-induced psychosis, often associated with chronic alcohol use, may lead to changes in the brain that resolve once the psychosis and underlying chronic use of alcohol and other substances are addressed. The withdrawal process might also induce symptoms similar to psychosis. Finally, a traumatic brain injury could possibly lead to psychosis or other symptoms, which may dissipate as the brain heals. 

What is stage one of psychosis?

The first stage of psychosis is typically referred to as the prodromal stage. In the prodrome stage, a person begins to experience psychotic symptoms that do not rise to the severity of a full psychotic episode. Common symptoms include confusion, irritability, paranoia, and sleep disturbances. As symptoms progress, they might experience delusions, hallucinations, or other features of psychosis. The symptoms typically become more severe and have a greater impact on a person’s daily life as they progress from stage one to stage two. 

Who is prone to psychosis?

Evidence suggests that the greatest predictor of psychosis is having a first-degree relative with a history of a psychotic disorder. Researchers have identified a significant genetic factor driving psychosis. Disruptions to brain development in childhood likely also play a role in the development of disorders with psychotic features. There is also evidence to support that drug use before a person’s late teens might increase the risk of psychosis. Environmental factors may also play a role, as research indicates that life stressors and the absence of adequate social support may increase the risk of psychotic episodes. 

How to calm a psychotic episode?

It may be possible to calm a psychotic episode for some, but most people will find it challenging to mitigate psychosis on their own, especially if they are experiencing their first episode. While many may want to help a friend or loved one calm their psychosis, it is typically unwise to try to interfere with a psychotic episode without the necessary training to do so. 

Someone experiencing psychosis is, by definition, out of touch with reality and may not recognize a loved one’s attempts to help calm them. Likely, the person strongly believes the thoughts they experience while undergoing a psychotic episode. Combined with paranoia - a common feature of psychosis - helping a person calm their psychosis can be very challenging. While a person’s system of support can help them manage their psychosis, the most effective efforts usually involve helping the person access professional intervention and medical care. 

Can lack of sleep cause psychosis?

Evidence indicates that severe sleep deprivation can induce psychotic symptoms. Typically, a person must go at least 72 hours without sleep before hallucinations and other common psychotic symptoms appear. The longer a person goes without sleep, the more severe the symptoms become. Symptoms typically begin as simple visual hallucinations and sensory misperceptions before progressing to complex hallucinations and delusions, ending in a condition that resembles acute psychosis. In most cases, a period of normal sleep completely resolved the psychotic symptoms. 

How do you tell if someone is psychotic?

It is not always clear if someone is experiencing psychosis, and only qualified medical and mental health professionals can accurately determine the presence of psychotic symptoms. However, it may be possible to recognize some of the more common positive symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions. If a person reports or interacts with people or objects that only they can see, psychosis is more likely. Similarly, if they express demonstrably untrue beliefs, such as believing they are a supervillain or believing they run a secret government organization, they may be expressing delusions commonly seen in psychosis.