psychosis

[ sahy-koh-sis ]

noun

, Psychiatry.

, plural psy·cho·ses [-seez].

1. a mental disorder characterized by symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations, that indicate impaired contact with reality.
2. any severe form of mental disorder, as schizophrenia or paranoia.

psychosis

/ saɪˈkəʊsɪs /

noun

1. any form of severe mental disorder in which the individual's contact with reality becomes highly distorted Compare neurosis

psychosis

/ sī-kō′sĭs /

, Plural psychoses sī-kō′sēz

1. A mental state caused by psychiatric or organic illness, characterized by a loss of contact with reality and an inability to think rationally. A psychotic person often behaves inappropriately and is incapable of normal social functioning.

psychosis

1. A severe mental disorder, more serious than neurosis , characterized by disorganized thought processes, disorientation in time and space, hallucinations , and delusions . Paranoia , manic depression, megalomania , and schizophrenia are all psychoses. One who suffers from psychosis is psychotic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychosis¹

First recorded in 1840–50, psychosis is from the Late Greek word psȳ́chōsis animation, principle of life. See psych-, -osis

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychosis¹

C19: New Latin, from psycho- + -osis

Example Sentences

While cannabis is a known risk factor for developing psychosis, which can progress to schizophrenia, this is the first time researchers have measured structural changes in the brains of a high-risk population in real time.

From Science Daily

While these symptoms do not constitute a disorder diagnosed as psychosis, they can still be disruptive, distressing or detrimental to functional capacity.

From Science Daily

You may eventually see that you’ve been bamboozled, or you may continue to descend into the mass psychosis gripping the American mind.

From Salon

She also started hearing voices, a sign of psychosis that can result from severe postnatal depression.

From BBC

Instead, he died after being violently extracted from his jail cell by guards while experiencing symptoms of psychosis.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absurdity
• alienation
• craziness
• folly
• frenzy
• hysteria
• irresponsibility
• lunacy
• madness
• mental disorder