- |
ICDO = |
OMIM = 603342 |
OMIM_mult = |
MedlinePlus = 001553 |
eMedicineSubj = |
eMedicineTopic = |
MeshName = Psychotic+Disorders |
MeshNumber = F03.700.675 |
}}Psychosis is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state often described as involving a "loss of contact with reality." Stedman's Medical Dictionary defines psychosis as "a severe mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration of normal social functioning."People experiencing psychosis may report hallucinations or delusional beliefs, and may exhibit personality changes and disorganized thinking. This may be accompanied by unusual or bizarre behaviour, as well as difficulty with social interaction and impairment in carrying out the activities of daily living.A wide variety of nervous system stressors, both organic and functional, can cause a psychotic reaction. This ha