01. Description
Psychosis is a serious mental illness that affects the way people think, feel, and behave.
It can result in a mix of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thoughts and behaviors. Hallucinations involve seeing things or hearing voices that others don't see or hear. Delusions are strongly held beliefs about things that aren't true. People with psychosis may seem to have lost touch with reality, which can make their daily lives very difficult.
Delusional
ideas
This happens when people believe in things that are not real or true.
People with psychosis may think they are being harmed or bullied when they are not. They may think they are the target of certain gestures or comments when they are not. They may think they are very famous or have great ability when they are not. Or they may think a catastrophe is about to occur when it is not. Most people with psychosis have delusions.
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Hearing
Voices
They usually involve seeing or hearing things that other people don't hear.
For people with psychosis, these things seem real. Hallucinations can involve any of the senses, but hearing voices is the most common.
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disorganized
thinking
Disorganized speech causes disorganized thinking.
People with psychosis may have difficulty speaking with others. The answers people with psychosis give to questions may be unrelated or incomplete. Rarely, people may speak nonsensically and string together unrelated words, creating word salad.
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Unusual
Behavior
Behavior is not goal-oriented, so it is difficult to complete tasks.
People with psychosis may not want to follow instructions. They may move in ways that are unusual or inappropriate for the social setting. Or they may not move much or respond at all.
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