MindSG

Explore our suite of self-care tools and resources to help you better understand and manage your mental health.

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Health Promotion Board

Understanding psychosis

Some of us may experience moments where we feel a bit disconnected from reality, especially when we’re tired, distracted, or overwhelmed. However, if we start hallucinating (seeing or hearing things that others do not), or having delusions (strongly believing something that is not true, that it may be hard for us to see reality clearly), it could be more than just stress.

How does it affect us?

Experiencing psychosis can be disruptive and unsettling. It may leave us feeling exhausted, anxious, or scared, decreasing overall productivity.

Daily activities like going to work, connecting with friends, or self-care might feel especially challenging. It’s also common to find it hard to trust people or organisations, which can make it harder to seek help when we need it.

Common
misconceptions

01 Individuals with psychosis are highly dangerous and violent.

02 Psychosis is rare.

03 Individuals with psychosis cannot lead meaningful lives.

Causes

While the exact cause of psychosis is unknown, research suggests it results from a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.

Causes

Signs and symptoms

Psychosis can show up in different ways, but common signs include changes in perception, thinking, emotions, and behaviour.

Signs and symptoms

Psychosis can show up in different ways, but common signs include changes in perception, thinking, emotions, and behaviour.

These changes can be distressing and may make it harder to cope with daily activities or connect with others.

Early signs of psychosis:

Feeling suspicious or paranoid, like believing others are watching or talking about them.
Occasionally hearing voices that aren’t really there.
Difficulty thinking logically.

Abnormal experiences or behaviours:

Hallucinations – Hallucinations occur when individuals hear, see, feel, smell, or taste things that aren't there. For example, they might hear voices telling them what to do, even though no one is actually speaking.
Delusions – Delusions are strong beliefs that don’t match reality and don’t change, even when there’s evidence that they aren’t true. For example, individuals with psychosis may believe others are plotting against them or trying to harm them.
Disorganised thinking or speech – Individuals with psychosis have trouble thinking in an organised way. They may have difficulty getting to the main point of a conversation and may talk about various subjects before reaching the intended topic. Sometimes, they make up words or say things that do not make sense.

Changes in behaviours due to psychosis:

Showing little to no emotion or not changing your facial expression.
Not moving or talking much.
Neglecting personal hygiene like not taking showers or keeping clean.
Losing interest in spending time with others or having fun.

Cognitive symptoms:

Individuals with psychosis have difficulty:

Learning and remembering.
Understanding speech or other forms of communication.
Making sense of new information.
Solving problems.
Starting or maintaining goal-directed tasks.

Emotional symptoms:

Individuals with psychosis often experience anxiety or depression.

Diagnosis

To diagnose individuals with psychosis, a mental health professional will conduct a detailed clinical interview. This includes discussing the individual’s medical and psychiatric history, family history, current symptoms, and how these symptoms are affecting their daily life.

With the individual’s consent, the mental health professional may also speak with a family member to gather more information. Physical examination and some blood tests might be conducted to rule out other medical conditions that could be causing the symptoms.

Understanding schizophrenia

The most common condition involving psychosis is schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects how an individual thinks, feels, and behaves.

Schizophrenia includes many symptoms, including psychosis. An individual with schizophrenia may experience constant hallucinations, delusions, or disorganised speech. These symptoms can appear on their own or together.

Before diagnosing schizophrenia, mental health professionals will rule out other conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, substance abuse, or other health issues, to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

With the right support and care, individuals with schizophrenia can manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Understanding AI psychosis

AI psychosis is a phenomenon where people develop psychotic symptoms after spending excessive time interacting with AI chatbots and even forming strong emotional bonds with them. These psychotic symptoms include paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations.

Some AI chatbots are designed to be companions, offering emotional support and ongoing conversation. Many users, especially those who are socially isolated or already living with psychosis, are drawn to them because they are available 24/7 and provide instant dialogue, reassurance, and companionship. They can also feel non- judgemental, which makes it easier for users to share their problems.

Over time, individuals may develop an unhealthy reliance on these chatbots. This can worsen distress and unintentionally reinforce a person's fears, fantasies, or delusional beliefs.

Individuals should seek immediate help if they are experiencing any of these signs:

Spending countless hours in discourse with the AI, often isolating themselves
Feeling a persistent, overwhelming urge to chat with AI, prioritising it over real life, and letting its responses dictate your actions and decisions.
Experiencing delusions (such as strongly believing the computer program is a sentient, living being) or auditory hallucinations.
Rapid shifts between elation or mania-like "highs," irritability, anger, and depression.
Neglect self-care and basic needs such as eating or drinking

Disclaimer: AI psychosis is an emerging concern, and more research is needed to better understand its risks and impact.

A guide to managing psychosis

Treatment for
Psychosis

The goal of treatment for psychosis is to reduce symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. It also aims to reduce distress and improve the individual’s daily functioning.

Medication

Most individuals with psychosis benefit from long-term antipsychotic medications to manage and reduce their symptoms.

Therapy

Therapy can be effective in helping individuals with psychosis and their families better understand and manage the condition.

Therapy

Therapy can be effective in helping individuals with psychosis and their families better understand and manage the condition.

Psychological therapy treatment can help treat behavioural and cognitive symptoms and improve coping skills.

Common therapies include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps individuals identify and change negative or unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns. It equips them with strategies to cope with their symptoms and reduce the frequency and intensity of psychotic episodes.

For example, CBT can help individuals:

Recognise triggers for hallucinations and learn coping strategies to manage them effectively.
Identify and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns associated with psychosis, helping to reduce their impact over time.

Family therapy

Family therapy involves working with the family members of individuals who suffer from psychosis. It aims to develop a collaborative relationship between the family and the treatment team to help individuals make progress.

Therapy sessions entail:

Educating family members about psychosis and its management.
Encouraging positive attitudes such as empathy and emotional support.
Encouraging healthy and clear communication between family members to promote understanding.
Teaching problem-solving and stress management techniques.

These components aim to facilitate improved understanding about psychosis and the emotional impact of the condition on family relationships. Family therapy allows for healthy coping mechanisms and minimises risk of relapse for the individual.

Together, medication and therapy can support individuals with psychosis in managing symptoms, enhancing daily functioning, and improving their quality of life.

Useful self-help tools

If you have been diagnosed with psychosis, here are some ways to better manage the condition and support your well-being:

01 Learn about psychosis and your treatment

02 Practice relaxation techniques

03 Engage in activities you enjoy

04 Join a support group

05 Build and maintain a support network

06 Guardrails to safeguard your AI interactions

1 Learn about psychosis and your treatment

Discuss your condition with a mental health professional to gain better understanding.
Request written information about your diagnosis and treatment to help you stay informed and take active steps toward improvement.
If your medication is not working effectively, ask your doctor about alternative options.

2 Practice relaxation techniques

Try breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation to reduce stress and promote calmness.

3 Engage in activities you enjoy

Set aside time daily or weekly for hobbies and activities that make you feel happy and relaxed, such as:

Cooking or baking
Watching movies
Reading books
Playing sports
Spending time with friends

These activities can help you take a break from daily stressors, boost your mood and overall well-being.

4 Join a support group

Support groups can be a valuable resource for connecting with others who share similar experiences. These groups can provide:

A safe space to share without fear of judgement.
Practical advice and coping strategies.
A sense of community to help you feel less alone and more empowered in managing your condition.

5 Build and maintain a support network

Arrange for someone you trust, like a family member or close friend, to notify you if they notice signs of you becoming unwell.
Form a strong support network, including trusted family members, friends, or mental health professionals, to feel safe and supported during challenging times.
Reach out to your support system as soon as you notice any warning signs. Early contact can ensure you get the help you need sooner, rather than later.

6 Guardrails to safeguard your AI interactions

AI can be helpful in daily life, but it works best when used with care and balance. Setting a few simple guardrails can help you use it in a way that feels safe, healthy, and grounded.

Set boundaries around your use, especially when you are feeling stressed, lonely, or overwhelmed.
Pay attention if conversations start to feel too emotionally intense (e.g overwhelming, upset) or difficult to stop.
Always verify important information with trusted sources. Make sure that the source of information is credible and reliable.
Take regular breaks from AI and talk to friends, family, or a counsellor if AI use starts affecting your daily life or relationships.

Early Psychosis Intervention Program (EPIP)

Many patients with newly diagnosed psychosis are supported by the Early Psychosis Intervention Program (EPIP). The goal of EPIP is to provide treatment to individuals with psychosis and their caregivers.

EPIP team is made up of

Case managers
Peer support specialists
Pharmacists
Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Occupational therapists

For more information on EPIP,

Please call 6389 2000 (Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 5:00pm).
Visit EPIP

First Stop for Mental Health

Not sure whom to reach out to? You can approach any of these First Stop for Mental Health. They can help identify your mental health needs, provide brief support, and guide you to the most suitable services:

National mindline
(24-hour)

1-771

6669-1771

In-person services

CREST

CHAT (for individuals aged 16-30)

Digital

mindline.sg