Psychosis can be frightening and confusing for the person experiencing it and for those who care about them. People may hear voices, see things that are not there or have strong beliefs that don’t match reality. Early treatment makes a major difference, and help is available.
Banner Health provides compassionate, comprehensive care for people experiencing psychosis. Our behavioral health team supports patients and families with evaluation, treatment and guidance at every step.
What is psychosis?
Psychosis is a mental health condition that affects how a person understands and interprets reality. During a psychotic episode, someone may:
- Hear voices or sounds that others don’t hear
- See things that aren’t present
- Strongly believe things that are not true (delusions)
- Behave in ways that feel unusual or out of character
Psychosis can happen once, or it can be part of an ongoing mental illness. It affects people of all ages, although it is most common in teens and young adults. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that about 100,000 young people in the U.S. experience psychosis each year.
Types of psychosis and related conditions
Several mental health conditions include psychosis as a symptom.
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders
- Schizophrenia: Causes hallucinations, delusions and changes in thinking and behavior that affect daily life.
- Schizoaffective disorder: Combines symptoms of schizophrenia with episodes of depression or bipolar symptoms.
- Schizophreniform disorder: Has features of schizophrenia but lasts less than six months.
- Paraphrenia: A schizophrenia-like condition that can appear later in life.
Other conditions that can include psychosis
- Depression with psychotic features
- Bipolar disorder
- Dementia and other cognitive disorders
- Borderline personality disorder (in rare cases)
- Delusional disorder, where a person believes something false with strong conviction
- Brief psychotic disorder, often triggered by extreme stress
- Substance-induced psychosis, caused by drugs, alcohol or withdrawal
- Psychosis from medical conditions, such as brain injury, infections or neurological disease
What causes psychosis?
There is no single cause, but several factors can raise the chance of experiencing psychosis.
Risk factors for psychosis
- Family history of psychosis or schizophrenia
- Teen and young adult years, when the brain is still developing
- Trauma, high stress or major life changes
- Lack of sleep
- Substance use, including alcohol, cannabis, stimulants and certain medications
- Medical conditions such as stroke, dementia, seizures or infections
- Mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder or major depression
Psychosis cannot always be prevented, but early treatment leads to the best outcomes.
Signs and symptoms of psychosis
Psychosis can appear suddenly or develop slowly over time. Psychotic symptoms may include:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Paranoia
- Disorganized or unusual thoughts
- Incoherent or nonsensical speech
- Rapid mood changes
- Trouble concentrating
- Withdrawal from friends or family
- Decline in hygiene
- Sleep problems
- Loss of motivation
- Anxiety or depressed mood
- Suicidal thoughts
If you or someone you love shows these symptoms, seek medical help right away.
Early warning signs of psychosis
Early signs may be subtle, especially in teens and young adults. Watch for:
- New or intense suspiciousness
- Declining performance at school or work
- Sudden changes in thinking or beliefs
- Increasing isolation
- Trouble managing daily tasks
- Hearing or seeing things others don’t
- Strong emotional changes
Getting help early can reduce the severity and frequency of future episodes.
How psychosis is diagnosed
Diagnosis includes a combination of:
- A medical exam
- Neurological evaluation
- Psychological assessment
- A review of symptoms, behaviors and personal history
- Questions about substance use
- Tests to rule out medical problems that can cause similar symptoms
Families often notice changes first, and Banner Health provides support to help encourage a loved one to seek care.
How psychosis is treated
Most people can recover well with the right treatment and support.
Banner Health creates personalized treatment plans that may include:
Medication
Antipsychotic medications can reduce hallucinations, delusions and agitation. Your care team will work with you to find the safest and most effective option.
Therapy
Therapy helps people understand their symptoms, manage stress and build coping skills. Common approaches include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Family therapy
- Skills-based or supportive counseling
Comprehensive support
Effective treatment for psychosis often includes:
- Education for patients and family members
- Recovery coaching
- Peer support
- Help with school, work or daily life skills
- Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care
Recovery takes time. With support, many people return to school, work and daily activities.
EPICenter: Early Psychosis Intervention Center
Banner Health’s EPICenter in Tucson provides specialized early psychosis care. Services include:
- Individual, group and family therapy
- Psychiatric care
- Clinical assessments
- Metacognitive remediation
- Multi-family groups
- Recovery coaching and peer support
- Social programs
- My Own Med app support
- Primary care services
Call 520-694-1234 to learn more.
Prognosis and long-term outlook
Early treatment leads to the strongest outcomes. People who receive care soon after their first episode of psychosis often have:
- Fewer hospitalizations
- Lower suicide risk
- Better social and work functioning
- Improved thinking and memory
- Higher quality of life
Many people with psychosis live full, productive lives with ongoing treatment and support.
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