psychosis
n. C / Un. a serious mental condition where a person loses touch with reality. You might see or hear things that are not there or believe things that are not true.
n. a severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality. Often involves hallucinations or delusions.
The patient suffered from a brief period of psychosis.
Doctors worked to determine whether the patient's psychosis was caused by a medical condition or a reaction to new medication.
Early intervention in cases of drug-induced psychosis is critical to prevent long-term cognitive decline and to help the individual reintegrate into their social and professional environment.
From psych- + -osis or from Ancient Greek ψύχωσις (psúkhōsis, “animation, principle of life”).
Uncountable when referring to the general state; countable when referring to a specific episode or instance.