Psychosis is primarily associated with schizophrenia, a mental illness in which a person experiences hallucinations and delusions and behavioral changes that last six months or more. However, psychotic episodes can occur with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and with certain neurological conditions, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy.
Psychosis can be induced with substance use, head injuries, high fevers, and abuse or trauma. In rare cases, severe hunger, low blood sugar, and prolonged lack of sleep may also result in brief psychotic episodes.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) the exact causes of psychosis are still being researched, but stress overload is thought to be a primary factor: “When a brain can no longer effectively process a certain level of stress, the processing of information and emotions is impacted, resulting in trouble perceiving reality,” explains [Dr. Chantel] Garrett.