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Psychosis


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Psychosis

Alternative Names:

Psychotic
Symptoms:
  • loss of touch with reality
  • seeing, hearing, feeling, or otherwise perceiving things that are not there (hallucinations)
  • disorganized thought and/or speech
  • emotion is exhibited in an abnormal manner
  • extreme excitement (mania)
  • confusion
  • depression and sometimes suicidal thoughts
  • unfounded fear/suspicion
  • mistaken perceptions (illusions)
  • false beliefs (delusions)

Signs and tests:
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Psychological evaluation and testing are used to diagnosis the cause of the psychosis.

Laboratory or radiological testing may not be essential, but sometimes can help pinpoint the exact diagnosis. This may include:

  • MRI of the brain
  • tests for syphilis
  • drug screens
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