Psychosis
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Understanding Psychosis
by Anthony Giuliano, PhD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Psychosis refers to changes in the brain that interfere with a person's experience of his or her world. Characteristic symptoms are:
- Hallucinations: hearing voices or seeing visions
- Delusions: false beliefs or marked unrealistic suspicions of others
- Confused thinking: jumbled thoughts or speech; difficulty concentrating
In addition to the above symptoms, people with psychosis also commonly experience:
- social withdrawal
- disrupted sleep patterns
- mood swings
- decreased motivation
- pervasive anxiety
- inability to enjoy activities
- odd, unusual behaviors
Approximately 3 out of every 100 people experience a psychotic episode, making psychosis more common than diabetes. People experiencing psychosis are at a heightened risk for suicide; this should always be assessed. Despite myths to the contrary, aggression is uncommon. [More]
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Resource Organizations » Psychosis
1 listing(s)
Outside Massachusetts
National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
www.narsad.org60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 404
Great Neck, NY 11021
800-829-8289
516-829-0091
NARSAD supports research into the prevention and treatment of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. The NARSAD website offers news on the research it funds as well as information (documents and videos) about these and other disorders in children and adults. It also provides guidance and resources for families coping with a child or parent with mental illness.
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List of books, articles and other publications on Psychosis.