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Psychosis - Overview

Alternative Names

Psychotic

Definition of Psychosis:

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

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Psychosis is a severe mental condition in which there is a loss of contact with reality. There are many possible causes:

Alcohol and certain drugs
Brain tumors
Dementia (including Alzheimer's disease)
Epilepsy
Manic depression (bipolar disorder)
Psychotic depression
Schizophrenia
Stroke

Reviewed last on: 2/6/2008
Christos Ballas, M.D., Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

International Early Psychosis Association Writing Group. International clinical practice guidelines for early psychosis. Br J Psychiatry. 2005;187:s120-s124.

Addington D, Bouchard RH, Goldberg J, Honer B, Malla A, Norman R, Tempier R. Clinical practice guidelines: treatment of schizophrenia. Can J Psychiatry. 2005;50:7S-57S.

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