What should be the ultimate goal when treating functional psychosis?

The ultimate goal when treating functional psychosis is to help patients regain their grasp on reality. This approach focuses on stabilizing their mental state and enabling them to differentiate between what is real and what is a product of their psychosis. By fostering a sense of reality, patients can engage more effectively in therapeutic processes, develop coping strategies, and improve their functioning in daily life.

While curing the patient completely is often a desired outcome, it may not always be realistic or achievable in the context of every individual with functional psychosis. The aim is more centered on recovery and management rather than seeking a total cure. Maintaining a patient's delusions for safety is counterproductive, as it does not address the underlying psychotic symptoms or facilitate recovery. Ensuring that patients do not express negative feelings may lead to suppression of important emotional expressions, which is not therapeutic and may hinder the healing process. Therefore, supporting patients in reconnecting with reality is the most effective and empathetic approach in their treatment.