Ask a doctor - What is the basis for psychosis?

Q. What is the basis for psychosis?

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Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Psychosis is a mental health disorder that affects an individual’s ability to interpret reality and behave appropriately. It is generally characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech or behavior, and other cognitive impairments. The exact cause of psychosis is unknown; however it may be due to a combination of factors including genetics, environment, psychological trauma, substance abuse, physical injury or illness.

Genetics plays a significant role in the development of psychotic disorders because certain genetic variants have been linked to increased risk for developing psychosis. Some research suggests that people who have a family history of schizophrenia or other psychotic illnesses are more likely to develop such illnesses themselves. Additionally, people with certain gene variants may be more susceptible to environmental stressors (such as traumatic life events) which can trigger episodes of psychosis in those individuals.

Environmental factors also play an important role in the development and manifestation of psychotic symptoms. These can include childhood trauma (such as physical or sexual abuse), poverty and economic hardships, drug use/abuse (particularly stimulants such as cocaine), medical complications associated with viral infections (e.g., HIV; cytomegalovirus), chronic stress related to social isolation/loneliness or irresolvable conflict situations (i..e relationship difficulties). All these contributing factors converge at different levels - from biopsychosocial models up until high-level cognitive processes - leading ultimately towards the emergence and maintenance of frank psychotic symptoms over prolonged periods of time in individuals prone for developing them due to genetic predispositions amongst other contributors listed above.. Thus it becomes evident why multidisciplinary interventions are currently advocated for treating episodes involving Psychosis given its complex nature which involves multiple pathways leading toward its genesis .