psychosis

American  

[sahy-koh-sis] / saɪˈkoʊ sɪs /

noun

Psychiatry.

• psychoses
  plural

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.

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psychosis British  

/ saɪˈkəʊsɪs /

noun

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

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psychosis Scientific  

/ sī-kō′sĭs /

• psychoses
  plural

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.

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psychosis Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• psychoses
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of psychosis

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

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Compare meaning

How does psychosis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• neurosis vs. psychosis

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Explanation

If your Uncle Marvin starts talking to his furniture and sewing his own clothes out of newspapers, he may be suffering from psychosis, which is a serious psychiatric illness in which a person loses touch with reality. The Greek psykhe, or "mind" combines with the Latin suffix -osis, "abnormal condition," to form the word psychosis. An "abnormal condition of the mind" sounds like it could describe a lot of mental conditions, and in fact psychosis is a broad term that covers many different disorders. The symptom that those who suffer from psychosis have in common is that they don't experience reality in the same way that most people do; they may hallucinate, or see and hear things that aren't really there.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

psychosis psychoses

Such trends distract our attention from the worst of what psychosis can precipitate.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

Beyond providing new insight into schizophrenia, the findings could eventually help researchers identify young people who are at greater risk of developing psychosis.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2026

Chapman's inquest at Doncaster Coroner's Court was told he had suffered previous bouts of psychosis.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

During her trial, Clancy’s defense argued that postpartum psychosis drove Clancy out of her mind.

From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026

They explained that the psychosis and other serious mental health problems that burdened Mr. Jenkins could lead to dangerous behavior, but this behavior was a manifestation of serious illness, not a reflection of his character.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Psychiatrists and neurologists are increasingly joining forces to find and treat patients with autoimmune psychoses.

From Science Magazine ● May 15, 2024

He urged lawmakers to try again next year, this time adding specific treatment guidelines including recommended doses and protections for people with underlying psychoses.

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2023

And so there is an emphasis on complicated arrangements and psychoses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 17, 2023

“I wish my psychoses were softer,” she said.

From New York Times ● Aug. 5, 2022

He also devoted a chapter to the psychoses of four chess masters, selected from the millions of normal people who’d played seriously over the years.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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