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Psychosis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Psychotic

Treatment:

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

Expectations (prognosis):

The expectations for the outcome vary with the specific disorder. Many of the symptoms can be controlled with long-term treatment.

Complications:

Psychosis can prevent a person from functioning normally. During psychotic states, there can be an inability to care for oneself. If the condition is left untreated, there is a possibility of self-harm or harm to others.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider or mental health professional if a member of your family exhibits behavior indicating a loss of contact with reality. If there is any concern about safety, as described above, immediately take the person to the nearest emergency room for evaluation.

• Review Date: 5/17/2006
• Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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