Psychosis

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Psychotic

• Loss of touch with reality
• Seeing, hearing, feeling, or otherwise perceiving things that are not there (hallucinations)
• Disorganized thought and/or speech
• Emotion is exhibited in an abnormal manner
• Extreme excitement (mania)
• Confusion
• Depression and sometimes suicidal thoughts
• Unfounded fear/suspicion
• Mistaken perceptions (illusions)
• False beliefs (delusions)

Psychological evaluation and testing are used to diagnosis the cause of the psychosis.

Laboratory or radiological testing may not be essential, but sometimes can help pinpoint the exact diagnosis. Tests may include:

• MRI of the brain
• Tests for syphilis
• Drug screens

Review Date: 05/17/2006
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.