psychotic

[ sahy-kot-ik ]

adjective

1. Psychiatry. relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting psychosis: psychotic symptoms;

   a psychotic patient;

   psychotic symptoms;

   psychotic delusion.

   Synonyms: non compos mentis, demented, deranged, disturbed, mad, mentally ill, psychopathic, insane

   Antonyms: lucid, rational, compos mentis, sane

2. (loosely) mentally unstable:

   The man who threw a stone through the convenience store window must be psychotic.

   Synonyms: potty, screwy, batty, daft, cuckoo, kooky, bonkers, nuts, crazy, loony, nutty

3. intensely upset, anxious, or angry; crazy:

   My dad gets so psychotic when I come home even a little bit late.

   Synonyms: pissed off, livid, incensed, irate, wrathful, furious, crazed

   Antonyms: self-possessed, calm

noun

1. Psychiatry. a person afflicted with psychosis.

   Synonyms: maniac, madman, psychopath

2. (loosely) someone who is mentally unstable:

   Her partner is a psychotic who often uses abusive language.

   Synonyms: kook, nutjob, loon, loony, nut

1. someone who exhibits extreme emotion or behavior:

   My brother turns into a complete psychotic whenever his team loses.

   Synonyms: psycho, maniac

psychotic

/ saɪˈkɒtɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by psychosis

noun

1. a person experiencing psychosis

Usage

It is preferable to talk about a person experiencing psychosis rather than a psychotic , which reduces a person's individuality

Derived Forms

• psyˈchotically, adverb

Other Words From

• psy·chot·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·psy·chot·ic adjective
• sem·i·psy·chot·ic adjective
• un·psy·chot·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychotic¹

First recorded in 1885–85; psych(osis) + -otic

Example Sentences

Psychotic-like experiences resemble symptoms of psychosis, but are milder, less frequent and much more common than psychotic disorders.

From Science Daily

Andrews had complained about having psychotic episodes, including suicidal thoughts, and told a helpline “something serious is going to happen”, said Dr Jonathan Mitchell, consultant psychiatrist.

From BBC

The assailant “was not present, he was having some kind of psychotic break, and so it was kind of scary,” according to the witness, who asked to remain anonymous.

From Los Angeles Times

That lie is bizarre and bordering on psychotic.

From Salon

“There’s nothing else to call it except a psychotic episode,” LyBurtus said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• demented
• insane
• mad
• unhinged