Illnesses Covered
Psychosis
What is Psychosis?
The word psychosis is used to describe conditions that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality. When someone becomes ill in this way it is called a psychotic episode. Psychosis is most likely to occur in young adults and is quite common. It is a chronic disease that needs ongoing treatment with medication and rehabilitation.
What are the Symptoms?
Causes of Psychosis
There are numerous potential causes of psychosis, including:
- alcohol and certain drugs can induce psychosis
- bipolar disorder (manic depression)
- brain tumors
- psychotic depressionschizophrenia
dementia (Alzheimer’s and other degenerative brain disorders) - stroke
Psychosis prevents a person from functioning normally. During psychotic states, there is an inability to care for self, and the possibility of self-harm or harm to others if the condition is left untreated.
Call your health care provider or mental health professional if a member of your family exhibits behavior that shows the person has lost contact with reality. Alternatively, take the person to the nearest emergency room for an evaluation.
