what is psychosis

Psychosis refers to a collection of symptoms that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality. During an episode of psychosis, a person may experience delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others do not) . Other symptoms can include incoherent or nonsense speech and behavior that is inappropriate for the situation. The two main symptoms of psychosis are hallucinations and delusions. Hallucinations involve hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, or tasting things that do not exist outside of the persons mind but can feel very real to them. Delusions involve having strong beliefs that are not shared by others. Psychosis can be a symptom of a mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression. However, a person can experience psychosis and never be diagnosed with a mental illness. The causes of psychosis are complex and can include genetic risk, differences in brain development, and exposure to stressors or trauma. Experiencing the symptoms of psychosis is often referred to as having a psychotic episode. If someone is experiencing symptoms of psychosis, it is important to seek medical advice immediately.