Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Close

Psychosis is a mental health symptom that involves losing touch with reality and experiencing hallucinations and delusions. It can have several causes and is one of the most distinguishablesymptoms of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that distorts how a person thinks, acts, feels, and behaves. Psychosis can also occur without schizophrenia.

Several conditions and situations could lead to thedevelopment of psychosis. Psychosis is a symptom of several mental health conditions but is typically not considered a disorder itself. Psychosis disrupts a person’s thoughts and perceptions to the point that they find it challenging to recognize what is real and what isn’t.

Learn more about the differences between psychosis and schizophrenia and how to seek proper help for each condition.

Psychosis and Schizophrenia Symptoms

Psychosis and schizophrenia have unique symptoms, some of which resemble each another.

Psychosis Symptoms

In most cases, psychosis is indicative of an underlying condition. It’s a symptom of several mental health conditions. Symptoms of psychosis can be broadly classified into hallucinations, delusions, and disorganization.

Signs of a psychotic break include:

Schizophrenia Symptoms

Symptoms of schizophrenia are classified intopositive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms include changes in thoughts and behavior. In contrast, negative symptoms include character changes such as lack of motivation, talking less, diminished facial expressions, and lack of interest in social activities.

The most recognizable aspects of schizophrenia are the positive symptoms of psychosis.

Some of the most common symptoms of schizophrenia include:

Hearing/seeing things that aren’t there

Believing fixed, false beliefs

SchizophreniaHearing/seeing things that aren’t thereExperiencing paranoiaThinking in an unusual or illogical way

Experiencing paranoia

Thinking in an unusual or illogical way

Causes of Psychosis and Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental illness where psychosis is its core feature; however, psychotic symptoms can occur in a variety of other medical, mental health, and substance use disorders.

However, a person can have schizophrenia and not experience positive symptoms of psychosis in the early and residual stages of schizophrenia.

Causes of Psychosis

It’s not entirely understood what causes psychosis. Several factors and triggers have been linked to the development of psychosis.

Some of them include:

Causes of Schizophrenia

Researchers are still working to determine the exactcause of schizophrenia. A combination of genetic, physical, environmental, and psychological factors has been identified as the most likely reason for a person to develop the condition.

The following factors put a person at an increased risk of developing the condition:

Diagnosing Psychosis and Schizophrenia

Diagnosing psychosis and schizophrenia typically involves a lot of the same processes. Your doctor will look at your psychiatric, medical, and family history, and conduct a physical and mental status examination.

Psychosis Diagnosis

Identifying psychosis will involve investigatingmental health conditionsyou may have in which psychosis can emerge. A doctor will look into your medical and family history as well.

This will include questions about disorders in your family, medications you are on, details about your symptoms, and any other questions that can help them make an accurate diagnosis. A psychiatric evaluation is typically needed to diagnose psychosis accurately.

Schizophrenia Diagnosis

There is no particular test that can be used to diagnose schizophrenia. If you or someone you love is exhibiting symptoms of schizophrenia, you should contact your healthcare provider as soon as you can.

The diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia include the following requirements:

Psychosis and Schizophrenia Treatment

The most effective treatment for mental health conditions and their symptoms typically involves psychotherapy and medication.

Psychosis Treatment

When a mental health condition brings on psychosis, doctors typically focus on treating symptoms of the condition as a whole.

A combination of medication and psychotherapy is the usual route.Antipsychoticslike Risperdal (risperidone), Zyprexa (olanzapine), and Abilify (aripiprazole) are often used to treat symptoms of psychosis.

Schizophrenia Treatment

Schizophrenia is a lifelong condition. Unfortunately, there’s currently no cure for the disorder. Treatment focuses on managing your symptoms and improving your daily functioning. A combination of medication and therapy is also used to treat schizophrenia:

Types of Therapy: An A to Z List of Your Options

Although it may not be possible to prevent schizophrenia or certain types of psychosis, early recognition, treatment, and minimization of potential triggers (such as substances) are important.

Recap

A Word From Verywell

Psychosis and schizophrenia are both conditions that need expert care. If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of either condition, it’s essential to contact your healthcare provider as soon as you can. Knowing the difference between both conditions allows you to better understand the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

Living With Schizophrenia

13 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Early psychosis and psychosis.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Schizophrenia. 2021National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Understanding Psychosis.Gaebel W, Zielasek J.Focus on psychosis.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2015;17(1):9.Ham S, Kim TK, Chung S, Im HI.Drug abuse and psychosis: new insights into drug-induced psychosis.Experimental Neurobiology. 2017;26(1):11.Fujii D, Ahmed I.Psychotic disorder following traumatic brain injury: a conceptual framework.Cognitive Neuropsychiatry. 2002;7(1):41-62.Cleveland Clinic.Schizophrenia.Karlsgodt KH, Sun D, Cannon TD.Structural and Functional Brain Abnormalities in Schizophrenia.Current Directions in Psychological Science. 2010;19(4):226-231.Corcoran C, Mujica-Parodi L, Yale S, Leitman D, Malaspina D.Could stress cause psychosis in individuals vulnerable to schizophrenia?.CNS Spectr. 2002;7(1):33-42.Winklbaur B, Ebner N, Sachs G, Thau K, Fischer G.Substance abuse in patients with schizophrenia.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2006;8(1):37-43. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2006.8.1/bwinklbaurSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016 JunTamminga CA, Lahti AC.Treatments for chronic psychosis.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2001;3(4):281-292.Stankewicz HA, Richards JR, Salen P.Alcohol-related psychosis. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.

13 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Early psychosis and psychosis.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Schizophrenia. 2021National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Understanding Psychosis.Gaebel W, Zielasek J.Focus on psychosis.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2015;17(1):9.Ham S, Kim TK, Chung S, Im HI.Drug abuse and psychosis: new insights into drug-induced psychosis.Experimental Neurobiology. 2017;26(1):11.Fujii D, Ahmed I.Psychotic disorder following traumatic brain injury: a conceptual framework.Cognitive Neuropsychiatry. 2002;7(1):41-62.Cleveland Clinic.Schizophrenia.Karlsgodt KH, Sun D, Cannon TD.Structural and Functional Brain Abnormalities in Schizophrenia.Current Directions in Psychological Science. 2010;19(4):226-231.Corcoran C, Mujica-Parodi L, Yale S, Leitman D, Malaspina D.Could stress cause psychosis in individuals vulnerable to schizophrenia?.CNS Spectr. 2002;7(1):33-42.Winklbaur B, Ebner N, Sachs G, Thau K, Fischer G.Substance abuse in patients with schizophrenia.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2006;8(1):37-43. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2006.8.1/bwinklbaurSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016 JunTamminga CA, Lahti AC.Treatments for chronic psychosis.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2001;3(4):281-292.Stankewicz HA, Richards JR, Salen P.Alcohol-related psychosis. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Alliance on Mental Illness.Early psychosis and psychosis.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Schizophrenia. 2021National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Understanding Psychosis.Gaebel W, Zielasek J.Focus on psychosis.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2015;17(1):9.Ham S, Kim TK, Chung S, Im HI.Drug abuse and psychosis: new insights into drug-induced psychosis.Experimental Neurobiology. 2017;26(1):11.Fujii D, Ahmed I.Psychotic disorder following traumatic brain injury: a conceptual framework.Cognitive Neuropsychiatry. 2002;7(1):41-62.Cleveland Clinic.Schizophrenia.Karlsgodt KH, Sun D, Cannon TD.Structural and Functional Brain Abnormalities in Schizophrenia.Current Directions in Psychological Science. 2010;19(4):226-231.Corcoran C, Mujica-Parodi L, Yale S, Leitman D, Malaspina D.Could stress cause psychosis in individuals vulnerable to schizophrenia?.CNS Spectr. 2002;7(1):33-42.Winklbaur B, Ebner N, Sachs G, Thau K, Fischer G.Substance abuse in patients with schizophrenia.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2006;8(1):37-43. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2006.8.1/bwinklbaurSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016 JunTamminga CA, Lahti AC.Treatments for chronic psychosis.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2001;3(4):281-292.Stankewicz HA, Richards JR, Salen P.Alcohol-related psychosis. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.

National Alliance on Mental Illness.Early psychosis and psychosis.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Schizophrenia. 2021

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Understanding Psychosis.

Gaebel W, Zielasek J.Focus on psychosis.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2015;17(1):9.

Ham S, Kim TK, Chung S, Im HI.Drug abuse and psychosis: new insights into drug-induced psychosis.Experimental Neurobiology. 2017;26(1):11.

Fujii D, Ahmed I.Psychotic disorder following traumatic brain injury: a conceptual framework.Cognitive Neuropsychiatry. 2002;7(1):41-62.

Cleveland Clinic.Schizophrenia.

Karlsgodt KH, Sun D, Cannon TD.Structural and Functional Brain Abnormalities in Schizophrenia.Current Directions in Psychological Science. 2010;19(4):226-231.

Corcoran C, Mujica-Parodi L, Yale S, Leitman D, Malaspina D.Could stress cause psychosis in individuals vulnerable to schizophrenia?.CNS Spectr. 2002;7(1):33-42.

Winklbaur B, Ebner N, Sachs G, Thau K, Fischer G.Substance abuse in patients with schizophrenia.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2006;8(1):37-43. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2006.8.1/bwinklbaur

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016 Jun

Tamminga CA, Lahti AC.Treatments for chronic psychosis.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2001;3(4):281-292.

Stankewicz HA, Richards JR, Salen P.Alcohol-related psychosis. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?