Psychosis

A general term that refers to a psychiatric disorder in which there is a severe distortion of a person’s thoughts and beliefs making them disconnected from reality.  Symptoms are hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thought.  The person may “hear” voices making negative or degrading comments, giving commands, or telling them that they have special powers or abilities.  They may “see” things or “feel” things that are not there.  They may have delusions, false and unrealistic ideas with no basis.  Treatment depends on the cause.  If caused by a medical disorder, it should resolve upon treatment of the underlying problem.  For psychotic disorders, antipsychotic drugs are used.