DEFINITION:
“Psychosis” is an umbrella term for a broad spectrum of mental disorders characterized by grave symptoms such as irrational beliefs, disorganized behavior, and, in the worst case, hallucinations.
By definition, psychosis is an illness of devastating and incapacitating severity.
ETYMOLOGY:
The term “psychosis” was introduced by the German physician Karl Friedrich Canstatt (1807–1850) in his 1841 textbook Handbuch der Medicinischen Klinik (Medical Clinic Handbook).
“Psychosis” is an example of “New Latin,” meaning a word created in recent centuries that is similar to Latin in form but whose elements are derived from Classical Latin or Greek.
In this case, the primary lexical element is the Greek word psukhē, meaning “soul.”
The suffix “-osis” indicates a pathological condition affecting the anatomical structure or physiological process referred to by the root to which it is attached.
Therefore, “psychosis” literally means “disease of the soul” (or, as we now say, of the “mind”).
DISCUSSION:
The etiology of psychosis is disputed. Many causal factors have been suggested, including the disorders known as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
Other possible causes of psychosis may include childhood or adult trauma, long-term substance abuse, and certain medical conditions, such as Korsakoff’s syndrome and postpartum psychosis.
If it is due to substance abuse, psychosis is often referred to as “secondary,” whereas if it is caused by a personality disorder, it is usually called “primary.”
Most experts think that imbalance in the neurotransmitter dopamine plays an important role in the etiology of psychosis. Antipsychotic medications, such as Thorazine (chlorpromazine), Risperdal (risperidone), and Clorazil (clozamine), are intended to correct this imbalance.
However, antipsychotic medications have only a modest therapeutic value in the treatment of psychosis. Social support and psychotherapy may be helpful adjuncts to drugs.
About three percent of Americans will be diagnosed as psychotic during their lives.