Psychosis is a medical term. If you have psychosis, you might see or hear things, or hold unusual beliefs, that other people do not. Some people describe it as a “break from reality”. You may also hear terms such as “psychotic symptoms”, “psychotic episode” or “psychotic experience”.

In mental health care, these experiences are viewed as symptoms of mental illness which need treatment. In many cases, if you experience these symptoms you are not aware of this and believe that the sensations are real. About 1 in every 100 people will experience a psychotic episode in their lifetime.

Typical examples of psychosis include:

Hallucinations
Hallucinations describe when you see, hear or physically feel things which are not actually there. For example:
•Hearing voices
•Seeing things which other people do not see
•Feeling someone touching you who is not there
•Smelling things which other people cannot.

Delusions
Delusions are strong beliefs which are unlikely to be true and may seem irrational to others. For example:
•Believing that you are being followed by secret agents or members of the public
•Believing that people are out to get you or trying to kill you. This can be strangers or family members
•Believing that something has been planted in your brain to monitor your thoughts
•Believing you have special powers, are on a special mission or in some cases that you are a God.

What conditions are linked with psychosis?

Psychosis is a set of symptoms, rather than a condition in itself. You might have symptoms if you have one of the following conditions:

Schizophrenia

You are likely to get a diagnosis of schizophrenia if you experience a mixture of ‘positive’ symptoms (so called because they are ‘in addition’ to your normal experience) and ‘negative’ symptoms (which detract from your normal experience).

Positive symptoms include:
•Hallucinations such as hearing voices or seeing things other people do not
•Delusions such as believing that you are being followed by secret agents or that you have special powers
•Disorganised thinking – you might switch from one topic to another with no clear link between the two

Negative symptoms include:
•Lack of motivation
•Not saying much
•Lack of eye contact
•Not interacting much with other people

Due to the combination of negative and positive symptoms, schizophrenia will probably affect your day-to-day life a lot until you access treatment. Although some people recover completely from schizophrenia, it is likely to be a long term condition. But you can manage it with the right treatment and support.

Bipolar Disorder

This is a mood disorder where you switch from extreme highs such as elevated mood and increased activity (mania) to extreme lows, feelings of worthlessness and lack of motivation (depression). If you experience manic symptoms you may also experience psychosis. For example, you may believe you have special powers or are on a special mission. Not everyone with bipolar disorder will experience psychosis.

Schizoaffective disorder

People with schizoaffective disorder have symptoms of bipolar disorder (depression and/or mania) and schizophrenia (psychotic symptoms). Because some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia overlap, psychiatrists often find it difficult to make a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.

Drug induced psychosis

People who use or withdraw from alcohol and drugs can experience psychosis. Sometimes these symptoms will end suddenly as the effects of the alcohol or drugs wear off. In other cases, the symptoms may last longer and lead to a psychotic illness being diagnosed.

Psychotic depression

If you have depression you can feel low, lack motivation and energy, have feelings of guilt and may experience a loss of appetite or sleep. If you have severe clinical depression, you may experience psychotic symptoms which are usually particularly pessimistic and self blaming, such as believing that you are responsible for something when you are not.

Postnatal (puerperal) psychosis

If you have psychotic symptoms after giving birth, this is known as puerperal psychosis. This can happen immediately and also up to three months after birth. The symptoms usually include insomnia, feeling agitated, restless and irritated, feeling depressed or unusually happy, and swinging rapidly between these states of mind. Women with puerperal psychosis may behave strangely, feel very confused, and experience fleeting hallucinations.

Personality disorder

There are some personality disorders where you can experience psychotic symptoms such as borderline personality disorder (BPD) and schizotypal personality disorder.

Organic psychosis

Head injury or a physical illness that affects how your brain works can also cause psychosis. People often have memory problems or feel confused as well as having psychotic symptoms.

Delusional disorder

Psychiatrists might say you have a delusional disorder if you have a single firmly held belief that is not true but might not seem particularly bizarre either. For example, you may feel convinced that your partner is deceiving you even if they are not. Hallucinations and negative symptoms are not usually present.

Reaction psychosis/ Brief psychotic episode

You might have psychotic symptoms after a major stressful event in your life, such as a death in the family or change of living circumstances. Symptoms can be severe, but most people who have reaction psychosis make a quick recovery, which can take up to a month.