Psychosis is a mental health condition where a person loses touch with reality, experiencing hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there), delusions (fixed false beliefs), disorganized thinking, or paranoia. If left untreated, it can lead to severe, long-term consequences affecting every aspect of life.

Short-Term Risks: Without intervention, symptoms often intensify. Hallucinations and delusions can cause extreme distress, leading to social withdrawal, inability to work or study, and strained relationships. Individuals may act on delusions e.g., believing they're in danger and becoming aggressive or self-harming. Sleep disturbances and poor self-care (like neglecting hygiene or nutrition) are common, worsening physical health.

Long-Term Consequences: Untreated psychosis increases the risk of chronic mental illness. Studies, such as those from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), show that early-onset psychosis (e.g., in schizophrenia) untreated for over a year can result in "duration of untreated psychosis" (DUP), linked to poorer outcomes: reduced brain volume, cognitive decline (memory, attention issues), and lower recovery rates. About 1 in 4 people with untreated first-episode psychosis develop persistent symptoms, per WHO data.

Physical and Social Impacts: Malnutrition, substance abuse (to self-medicate), or accidents from impaired judgment raise mortality risk suicide attempts occur in up to 10-15% of cases (Lancet Psychiatry reviews). Homelessness, unemployment, and legal issues (e.g., arrests due to erratic behavior) are frequent. Family burden grows, with isolation amplifying symptoms.

Brain Changes: Neuroimaging research (e.g., from JAMA Psychiatry) indicates prolonged untreated psychosis causes progressive gray matter loss, making future treatment less effective and symptoms harder to control.

Early treatment with antipsychotics, therapy (like CBT), and support dramatically improves prognosis 80% achieve remission with prompt care (NICE guidelines). Seek professional help immediately if symptoms appear; untreated psychosis isn't just distressing it's life-altering and potentially irreversible.