preface: i've been trying to find an education carrd/rentry about psychosis that isn't purely d/a stuff, so i decided to make my own because i couldn't find one! i'll try to cite my resources using superscript numbers.

WHAT IS PSYCHOSIS?

the term psychosis refers to a "collection of symptoms that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality"¹. when someone is experiencing psychosis, they may have a difficult time discerning what is real and what is fake. their perceptions are disrupted.

psychosis is not a disorder in itself — rather, it is a set of symptoms that can signify the presence of a mental disorder. however, a person may experience psychosis and never be diagnosed with a mental disorder.

THE FIVE CATEGORIES OF ABNORMALITIES

the dsm-5 does not offer a clear definition of psychosis, but gives five categories in which abnormalities can be defined into.

i delusions
ii hallucinations
iii disorganized thought
iv disorganized behavior
v negative symptoms

delusions are fixed, false beliefs for which a person lacks insight into, even in the face of evidence that proves contrary to their validity². there are different types of delusions, such as persecutory delusions, the most common type. this is where one believes that someone/something is out to get them. referential delusions are beliefs that things the patient sees and hears in the external environment are directed at them². grandiose delusions are where one experiences inflated, magnificient, and unrealistic views of oneself. erotomanic delusions are where one believes others are in love with them. nihilistic delusions are when one believes major catastrophes will occur. somatic delusions are false beliefs regarding one’s own or other people's bodily functions. furthermore, delusions can be separated into two main categories: bizzare and non-bizzare. bizarre delusions are delusions that are entirely outside the realm of possibility, e.g. one's parents are aliens that plan on harvesting one's organs for a higher diety. non-bizzare delusions are possible, though extremely unlikely, e.g. having cameras installed in one's showers.

hallucinations are sensory experiences that occur in the absence of an external stimulus. they are not under voluntary control. they may occur in any sensory modality (auditory, visually, etc).

disorganized thought is characterized by a lack of coherence, clarity and logical progression in one's thinking. a person may be unable to give a direct answer to a question without excessive or unnecessary detail.

disorganized behavior consists of a broad spectrum of faulty goal-directed activity, which will usually lead to a decline in daily functioning². in terms of psychosis, one may act unpredictably and have inappropriate emotional responses to situations that would not usually evoke said emotional response.

negative symptoms refers to a decrease or loss in normal functioning. it can be confused for a depressive disorder. one may appear inexpressive, emotionally blunted, exhibit simple speech patterns, and show a lack of energy.

DISORDERS AND CAUSES

as stated before, psychosis is not a disorder in itself, rather a collection of symptoms that can hint at an underlying psychological condition. psychosis can be a symptom of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. psychosis can also be induced by drugs, medical conditions, trauma, stress, and sleep deprivation.

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Pub: 29 Jul 2025 20:49 UTC

Edit: 29 Jul 2025 21:28 UTC

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