Psychosis

Alternative names

Psychotic

Definition

Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality, typically including delusions (false ideas about what is taking place or who one is) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things which aren't there).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Psychosis is a severe mental condition characterized by a loss of contact with reality. There are numerous potential causes:

• alcohol and certain drugs can induce psychosis
  
• Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
  
• brain tumors
  
• Epilepsy
  
• psychotic depression
  
• schizophrenia
  
• Dementia (Alzheimer's and other degenerative brain disorders)
  
• Stroke
  

Symptoms

• loss of touch with reality
  
• seeing, hearing, feeling, or otherwise perceiving things that are not there (hallucinations)
  
• disorganized thought and/or speech
  
• emotion is exhibited in an abnormal manner
  
• extreme excitement (mania)
  
• confusion
  
• Depression and sometimes suicidal thoughts
  
• unfounded fear/suspicion
  
• mistaken perceptions (illusions)
  
• false beliefs (delusions)
  

Signs and tests
Psychological evaluation and testing are used to diagnosis the cause of the psychosis.

Laboratory or radiological testing may not be essential, but sometimes can help pinpoint the exact diagnosis. This may include:

• MRI of the brain
  
• tests for Syphilis
  
• drug screens
  

Treatment

Treatment varies depending on the cause of the psychosis. Care in a hospital is often needed to ensure safety of the patient. Drugs that diminish auditory hallucinations and delusions and stabilize thinking and behavior (antipsychotic drugs) are helpful. Group or individual therapy can also be useful.