What is psychosis
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Understanding Psychosis: Definition, Symptoms, and Causes
Definition of Psychosis
Psychosis is a mental health condition characterized by a disconnection from reality, manifesting through disruptions in thought, perception, and behavior. It is not a single disorder but a clinical construct composed of several symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorders1 2. The term "psychosis" has evolved over the past 170 years, initially encompassing a broad range of mental disorders before becoming more specialized4.
Core Symptoms of Psychosis
Delusions and Hallucinations
Delusions are false beliefs that are strongly held despite clear evidence to the contrary. Hallucinations involve perceiving things that are not present, such as hearing voices or seeing things that others do not see. These symptoms are central to the experience of psychosis and contribute to the significant reality distortion seen in affected individuals2 7.
Thought Disorders
Thought disorders involve disorganized thinking, which can make communication difficult. Individuals may have trouble organizing their thoughts or connecting them logically, leading to incoherent speech and difficulty understanding others2.
Causes and Risk Factors
Biological Factors
Psychosis has a strong genetic basis and is often associated with neurobiological abnormalities. For instance, a dysregulated hyperdopaminergic state is thought to lead to the aberrant assignment of salience to experiences, contributing to delusions and hallucinations7. Additionally, psychosis can be linked to various mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, mood disorders, and medical conditions1 10.
Environmental and Social Factors
Several environmental and social factors have been identified as risk factors for psychosis. These include urbanicity, childhood trauma, and being part of an ethnic minority in a low ethnic density area. Protective factors and risk factors vary in their level of evidence, with some showing convincing associations, such as the ultra-high-risk state for psychosis and Black-Caribbean ethnicity in England5.
Psychological Factors
Psychosis can also be viewed as a response to extreme stress, where the mind's psychological functioning becomes disrupted. This perspective suggests that psychotic behavior may emerge in relationships that fail to provide adequate responses, leading to social isolation and odd behavior8.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Early Intervention
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better outcomes in individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis. Specialty treatment programs focusing on early intervention can help young people get back on track with their educational and work goals3.
Pharmacological and Psychological Therapies
Antipsychotic medications play a significant role in managing psychosis by dampening the salience of abnormal experiences, allowing for symptom resolution. However, these medications do not erase symptoms but provide a platform for psychological resolution. Combining pharmacological treatments with psychological therapies can offer a more comprehensive approach to managing psychosis7.
Conclusion
Psychosis is a complex mental health condition characterized by significant disruptions in thought, perception, and behavior. Understanding its core symptoms, causes, and effective treatment strategies is essential for improving outcomes for those affected. Early intervention and a combination of pharmacological and psychological therapies are key to managing this condition effectively.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Psychosis in Children and Adolescents.
Psychosis in children and adolescents is often misdiagnosed due to symptom presentation and illness course, leading to inaccurate treatment guidelines and potentially harmful labeling.
Focus on psychosis
Psychosis is a clinical construct composed of various symptoms, with delusion, hallucination, and thought disorder being core clinical features, and reality distortion as a common denominator.
Highly CitedWhat Is Psychosis?
Psychosis is a treatable mental illness, and early treatment is crucial for symptom relief and regaining focus on school and work goals.
Psychosis: a history of the concept.
Psychosis has evolved from a category of mental handicap to a specialized term for serious mental disorders with a postulated organic etiology, and its future use is discussed.
What causes psychosis? An umbrella review of risk and protective factors
Ultra-high-risk state and Black-Caribbean ethnicity in England show convincing evidence of association with psychotic disorders, while several factors show different levels of evidence.
Highly CitedPsychosis
Psychosis is like a weakened brain circuit causing electric discharge, similar to the process of electric discharge in old toasters when electric potential is higher than the circuit can handle.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedPsychosis as a state of aberrant salience: a framework linking biology, phenomenology, and pharmacology in schizophrenia.
Psychosis in schizophrenia is linked to dysregulated dopamine levels in the brain, leading to aberrant experiences and symptom resolution through psychological resolution.
Highly Cited