Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality, usually including false beliefs

about what is taking place or who one is (delusions) and seeing or hearing
things that aren't there (hallucinations).

Causes
A number of substances and medical conditions can cause psychosis,
including:

• Alcohol and certain illegal drugs, both during use and during
withdrawal
• Brain tumors or cysts
• Dementia (including Alzheimer's disease)
• Degenerative brain diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's
disease, and certain chromosomal disorders
• HIV and other infections that affect the brain
• Some prescription drugs, such as steroids and stimulants
• Some types of epilepsy
• Stroke

Psychosis is also part of a number of psychiatric disorders, including:

• Bipolar disorder (manic or depressed)

• Delusional disorder
• Depression with psychotic features
• Personality disorders (schizotypal, schizoid, paranoid, and
sometimes borderline)
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Simbiosis-niño pequeño que esta sumamente identificado con la mama
o papa. Puede estar en un cumpleaños y no se separa aunque por lo
general la conducta normal indica que el niño estaría jugando con otros.

Symptoms
Psychotic symptoms may include:

• Disorganized thought and speech

• False beliefs that are not based in reality (delusions), especially
unfounded fear or suspicion
• Hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations)
• Thoughts that "jump" between unrelated topics (disordered thinking)

Exams and Tests

Psychiatric evaluation and testing are used to diagnose the cause of the
psychosis.
Laboratory testing and brain scans may not be needed, but sometimes can
help pinpoint the diagnosis. Tests may include:

• Blood tests for abnormal electrolyte and hormone levels

• Blood tests for syphilis and other infections
• Drug screens
• MRI of the brain

Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of the psychosis. Care in a hospital is often
needed to ensure the patient's safety.
Antipsychotic drugs, which reduce hallucinations and delusions and improve
thinking and behavior are helpful, whether the cause is a medical or
psychiatric disorder.
See: Schizophrenia for more information about the treatment of psychosis.
Outlook (Prognosis)
How well a person does depends on the cause of the psychosis. If the cause
can be corrected, the outlook is often good, and treatment with antipsychotic
medication may be brief.
Some chronic conditions, such as schizophrenia, may need life-long
treatment with antipsychotic medications to control symptoms.
Possible Complications
Psychosis can prevent people from functioning normally and caring for
themselves. If the condition is left untreated, people can sometimes harm
themselves or others.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider or mental health professional if you or a
member of your family is losing contact with reality. If there is any concern
about safety, immediately take the person to the nearest emergency room
to be seen by a doctor.
Prevention
Prevention depends on the cause. For example, avoiding alcohol abuse
prevents alcohol-induced psychosis.
References
Freudenreich O, Weiss AP, Goff DC. Psychosis and schizophrenia. In: Stern
TA, Rosenbaum JF, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch SL, eds. Massachusetts
General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa:
Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 28.
Update Date: 2/7/2010
Updated by: David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry,
Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York,
NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.