Psychosis Information

Many people find the term “psychosis” confusing and difficult to grasp. Essentially, it is a state of mind characterised by a loss of contact with reality, in which an individual might experience hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), delusions (adamantly believing things that aren’t true) and mixed up thinking. Such symptoms can be a component of illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and others. Dealing with psychosis is difficult for individuals and their families. The good news is that St John of God Hospital has invested a lot of resources in understanding and treating psychosis and its effects on the lives of individuals and their families. Our approach to psychosis is informed by the latest international research and our team has considerable expertise in helping individuals in their journey to recovery.

Features of the Service

Your GP or local psychiatrist can arrange a referral to our service. The team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, a social worker, a clinical nurse specialist, an occupational therapist and a specialist pharmacist. We provide a psychosis programme that accommodates a variety of psychotic disorders, and includes group cognitive behavioural therapy, carer information and links to rehabilitation. Early intervention is encouraged to maximise recovery. 

What it costs: If you have private health insurance, it will cover your treatment, depending, of course, on your cover (call us to check). If you don’t have private health insurance, you will be asked to pay a deposit on admission and regular payments thereafter