Psychotic symptoms

If you have severe mania or bipolar depression, there is a chance you will experience psychosis. If you have psychosis, it means that you lose touch with reality. This can be frightening. But treatment with antipsychotic medicines can relieve your symptoms and bring an end to a bout of psychosis.

Not everyone who has bipolar disorder will get psychosis. But if you do, these are some of the things that might happen.[1]

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are when you see or hear things that aren't there, that no one else can see or hear. For example, you might hear voices inside your head that no one else can hear.

Delusions

Delusions are beliefs that you hold very firmly, even when they don't stand up to reason. During a bout of mania you may feel you are extremely important or powerful. In a bout of depression you may feel that you are totally worthless or that you have done something terribly wrong.

Problems communicating

During a bout of psychosis your thoughts and speech may be very speeded up or slowed down. This can make it hard for other people to understand what you mean. You might find this very frustrating.

Without treatment, psychosis could last for about four months. If you do have treatment, your symptoms should calm down in a few days to a couple of weeks.

References

Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Bipolar Affective Disorder. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guideline No. 82. 2005.

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.