Psychosis

Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality, usually including false ideas about what is taking place or who one is (delusion) and having a sensory experience that no one else experiences (hallucination).

Causes of Psychosis

Psychosis is a serious mental condition and there are many conditions that cause psychosis. Some of the more common causes of psychosis are:

• Alcohol and certain drugs
• Brain tumors
• Dementia
• Epilepsy
• Bipolar Disorder
• Psychotic Depression
• Schizophrenia
• Stroke

Symptoms of Psychosis

Medical and psychological assessments are necessary to diagnose a condition with psychotic symptoms. Treatment is dependent on the cause of the psychotic symptoms.

Other important symptoms that can accompany psychosis are the following:

• Abnormal display of emotion
• Confusion
• Depression and sometimes suicidal thoughts
• Extreme excitement (mania)
• False beliefs (delusions)
• Loss of touch with reality
• Mistaken perceptions
• Seeing, hearing, feeling or perceiving things that are not there (hallucinations)
• Unfounded fear or suspicion

Treatment

The symptoms of psychosis indicate a person has a serious medical condition and warrant urgent medical treatment. In some conditions, the development of psychotic symptoms are the beginning of a life-threatening condition, and obtaining medical treatment is essential.

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center offers comprehensive medical and psychological assessment and treatment of medical and psychiatric disorders that feature psychosis as a significant symptom.

Contact Us - We Can Help

For more information about our program and the services we offer, please contact us at one of the following numbers:

Inpatient Hospitalization: (510) 204-4405
Partial Hospitalization Program: (510) 204-4569
Alta Bates Summit Emergency Department: (510) 204-2500

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