Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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Psychosis

During psychosis, the ability to judge reality is temporarily severely disrupted, for example by delusions, hallucinations or confused thinking. Early, calm help often improves recovery; danger, severe self-neglect, intoxication or physical instability require urgent assessment.

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During psychosis, the ability to judge reality is temporarily severely disrupted, for example by delusions, hallucinations or confused thinking. Early, calm help often improves recovery; danger, severe self-neglect, intoxication or physical instability require urgent assessment.

  • Delusions: fixed beliefs that do not fit shared reality, such as strong suspiciousness or feeling controlled by outside forces.
  • Hallucinations: voices, images, smells or bodily sensations without an external source.
  • Contact a trusted person and your treating professional early when sleep problems, suspiciousness or voices increase.
  • Do not use cannabis, stimulant drugs or other substances that can worsen psychosis.
  • Contact a doctor the same day for new delusions, voices, severe suspiciousness or a rapid loss of functioning.
  • For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.

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Further reading

Browse A–Z
H
Hearing voicesHearing voices can occur with psychosis, trauma, mood problems, lack of sleep, substances, neurological or physical illness. The experience feels real to the person. Threatening commands, confusion or immediate danger require urgent help.
D
DeliriumDelirium is a sudden, fluctuating disturbance of attention and thinking caused by a physical problem, medicine or intoxication. It is not normal ageing and needs medical assessment the same day; sometimes immediate lifesaving help is needed.
E
Exercises for dizzinessSpecific exercises can help certain forms of dizziness, especially positional vertigo and recovery of the balance system. The right exercise depends on the diagnosis and affected side; warning signs require urgent assessment first.