Can Ptsd Cause Psychosis?

[Albasoul]

Hello everyone,

As new with PTSD sometimes I find myself thinking maybe PTSD can cause psychosis and I just freak out. I am scared of losing control with the reality?

Your thoughts?
Thanks

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I really think you should talk to a doctor. I know severe depression can cause psychotic breaks but a doctor opinion in a must with your question.

 

[ChoctawWarrior]

Yes, it can actually. There is actually such a thing as PTSD w/ psychotic features, which is what I have. I had a psychotic break (A.K.A.- my nervous breakdown) from going through too much stress and trauma. Due to my PTSD, I get more psychosis due to more stress.

Though, yeah- if you go through too much stress on top of the PTSD you're already going through, then it is ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE to have a psychotic break- although, everyone reacts differently to high stress. I got extremely physically ill as well as psychosis during the nervous breakdown I had (it REALLY sucked :/ ).

But just because you lose touch with reality doesn't necessarily mean you've lost touch for good- it doesn't mean you have schizophrenia! You can regain touch with reality once you become stabilized and learn coping skills. Plus, it also doesn't mean that you will never heal- psychosis is NOT a factor in that decision, trust me. Just try to keep your stress at a minimal level- talk it through with your therapist- and you'll be fine ;) Hang in there! :)

 

[Mrs. T]

My husband has hallucinations. Hr is now taking anti psychotic meds for it, which have reduced the symptoms but not eliminated them. He has had hallucinations since he was young. but the abuse also began at a young age. Doctors say it's not schizophrenia, but have not tried to determine what it is. I would really like to learn more about the nature of the hallucinations you experience.

 

[Abstract]

There is actually a poll on this if you want to look it up. It may be helpful to you.

 

[Froggie]

maybe PTSD can cause psychosis

Only a doctor can say for sure if it is psychosis, but from my experience, my flashbacks and nightmares were so powerful that my psychiatrist opted for an anti-psychotic medication and it worked. Still have to deal with the stuff but it's far more manageable compared to the before medication. I'd be terrified if they cut me off that medication.

 

[Mrs. T]

I am sure he has dissociated a lot throughout his life (this is my own conclusion, so not a forsure) as he only remembers bits and pieces of his past. I think his hallucinations have been of people from his past but I don't think all are. Also, before he was hospitalized he would constantly smell shit, which lead to his over showering, etc. The smell went away once he began medication. I wonder if that smell was connected to how bad smells and dirty things tend to be a trigger or stresser for him. Something I hope him and his T can figure out eventually.

Before being hospitalized, his hallucinations got to the point of him having friends which he believed to be real. Once he began meditation, he came to realized they were not real.

Thank you so much. I will definitely look at that poll.

 

[Mrs. T]

Medication, not meditation

 

[Abstract]

poll.

Here you are Mrs T. [DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/do-you-experience-hallucinations-that-appear-unrelated-to-your-trauma.2603/page-2#post-559416[/DLMURL]

 

[Mrs. T]

Perfect! Thanks

 

[Ettina]

Do you have a family history of psychosis? Many psychiatric issues follow a certain pattern, where there's a genetically inherited predisposition to a certain issue and then a stressor brings it out.

 

[circe47]

Psychotic features can absolutely accompany PTSD. The "reliving" and "flashbacks" symptoms of PTSD in and of themselves are a temporary "loss of touch with reality."