What is psychosis?

Psychosis is the medical term used to describe someone hearing, seeing or believing things that other people do not.

Some people describe it as a ‘break from reality’. People experiencing psychosis may not be aware of this and believe their experiences are real.

Psychosis is not a mental illness, it’s a symptom of some mental health problems.

The most common symptoms are hallucinations (seeing, hearing and feeling things that aren’t actually there) and delusions (believing things that aren’t true).

People experience psychosis differently. Some may find the symptoms disrupt daily life and make them feel tired, scared or overwhelmed. Meanwhile, others may hear comforting voices or find it helps them be more creative.

Some people experience psychosis for a short time, while others have episodes periodically through their lifetime, or it may be a common aspect of life. About 1 in every 100 people will experience a psychotic episode in their lifetime.