What characterizes psychosis?

Psychosis is primarily characterized by a loss of touch with reality, which includes experiencing symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. Individuals who are psychotic may perceive things differently than what is actually occurring in their environment, leading to significant disturbances in their thought processes and behaviors. This detachment from reality can manifest in various ways, such as seeing or hearing things that are not present or holding beliefs that are not grounded in fact.

Understanding this core characteristic is crucial because it helps differentiate psychosis from other mental health conditions or states that might temporarily alter perception or mood but do not involve the fundamental disconnect from reality that defines psychosis.