What Exactly is Psychosis?

Psychosis isn’t just about seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. It’s about feeling unmoored, like you’re walking through a dream while everyone else moves with certainty. Decisions that once felt simple become tangled, and thoughts race or scatter like leaves in the wind. For some, psychosis comes on suddenly, a break from reality that feels overwhelming. For others, it creeps in slowly, casting shadows of doubt over the world they once knew.

It can be terrifying, not just for the person experiencing it but for those around them. But psychosis is not the end of the story. With the right care, understanding, and support, people can find their way back, rebuilding trust in their minds, relationships, and the world around them.

Common symptoms of psychosis include:

• Schizophrenia-Related Psychosis – A severe mental illness marked by persistent hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, often seen in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
  
• Mood Disorder-Related Psychosis – Psychotic symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations, that occur alongside severe mood disturbances in conditions like bipolar disorder or major depression.
  
• Substance-Induced Psychosis – Hallucinations, paranoia, or delusions triggered by drug or alcohol use, withdrawal, or certain medications.
  
• Organic and Medical Psychosis – Psychotic symptoms caused by medical conditions, brain injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, or metabolic imbalances.
  
• Brief and Reactive Psychosis – A short-term episode of psychosis triggered by extreme stress, trauma, or postpartum hormonal changes, usually resolving within a month.
  
• Paranoid and Delusional Psychosis – A condition characterized by persistent, false beliefs, such as paranoia or grandiosity, without major hallucinations or disorganized thinking.
  
• Functional vs. Organic Psychosis – Functional psychosis arises from primary mental health disorders, while organic psychosis results from medical or neurological conditions affecting brain function.

Psychotic episodes can be distressing and overwhelming, but with the right treatment, individuals can achieve stability and regain control over their thoughts and behaviors.

Learn more about Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, and Drug-induced psychosis.

Signs Someone Might Have Psychosis

Psychosis disrupts perception, thinking, and emotions, making it difficult to distinguish reality from delusions or hallucinations. Individuals may hear voices, see things that aren’t there, or hold strong false beliefs, such as paranoia or grandiosity. Thought processes often become disorganized, leading to trouble following conversations or expressing ideas clearly. Below are some signs of Psychosis that, if left untreated, can escalate.

• Hallucinations: Hearing voices, seeing things, or feeling unreal sensations.
• Delusions: Persistent beliefs that are not based in reality, such as paranoia or feeling watched.
• Disorganized Speech: Incoherent or illogical conversations.
• Cognitive Difficulties: Trouble remembering, focusing, or processing information.
• Depersonalization/Derealization: Feeling detached from oneself or the world.
• Emotional Instability: Extreme mood swings or blunted emotional responses.
• Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia or excessive sleep related to psychotic episodes.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of psychosis, seeking professional help is essential.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 988 for immediate support.