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. See neurosis
   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

Earlier this year, Gross got a call about a woman who had recently given birth at the hospital and then turned up at an emergency room an hour and a half away with full-blown postpartum psychosis.

From MIT Technology Review

Schizophrenia, a common form of psychosis, tends to develop in the late teens to early 20s for men and the late 20s to early 30s for women—but a preliminary stage with milder symptoms usually precedes the full-blown condition.

From MIT Technology Review

When psychiatrists meet people in the prodromal phase, they use a standard set of interviews and cognitive tests to predict which will go on to develop psychosis.

From MIT Technology Review

Her research showed that the way we speak and write can reveal early indications of psychosis, and that computers can help us spot those signs with unnerving accuracy.

From MIT Technology Review

Strokes, confusion and psychosis were found among a group of 125 people hospitalized with infections of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus behind the pandemic.

From Science News

Fatigue, sadness, or psychosis is not about choice or laziness or selfishness.

From The Daily Beast

A court-appointed doctor later concluded that Mindi had experienced postpartum psychosis.

From The Daily Beast

The side effects from the dangerous cocktails of synthetics range from psychosis to death.

From The Daily Beast

The synthetic cannabinoids sprayed on Spice can lead to severe psychosis, brain damage, strokes, or even death.

From The Daily Beast

Some research suggests use can elevate the risk of psychosis in people already at risk.

From The Daily Beast

When this occurs the person merges into a psychosis which may be called "hallucinatory confusion."

From Project Gutenberg

I learned of this notable psychosis from a bookkeeper of a large factory, who had to provide for the test of numberless additions.

From Project Gutenberg

A little skin disorder, Selznik's migraine, and a few cases of psychosis to make a new disease.

From Project Gutenberg

This continuing presence of the weird in literature shows the popular demand for it and must have some basis in human psychosis.

From Project Gutenberg

After this occurs precordial anxiety, and finally the psychosis proper consisting of three stages: 1.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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