Full-blown psychosis refers to a severe mental state where a person loses touch with reality, experiencing profound disruptions in thoughts, perceptions, emotions, and behaviors. It is not a standalone illness but a syndrome that can occur in disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression with psychotic features, or due to substance abuse, medical conditions (e.g., brain tumors, infections), or extreme stress.

At its core, psychosis involves delusions fixed, false beliefs resistant to evidence, such as paranoia (believing others are plotting harm) or grandeur (thinking one has supernatural powers). Hallucinations are common, where individuals perceive things absent in reality: hearing voices (auditory, most frequent), seeing visions, or feeling sensations like bugs crawling on skin. Disorganized thinking leads to incoherent speech ("word salad"), erratic behavior, or catatonia (immobility or agitation). Negative symptoms include emotional flatness, social withdrawal, and lack of motivation.

In full-blown stages, these symptoms dominate daily functioning, causing distress, danger to self/others, or inability to care for basic needs. Onset can be acute (sudden, e.g., drug-induced) or gradual. Risk factors include genetics, trauma, neurochemical imbalances (dopamine excess), or triggers like sleep deprivation.

Diagnosis requires clinical evaluation (e.g., DSM-5 criteria: symptoms persisting >1 day but <1 month for brief psychotic disorder; longer for schizophrenia). Treatment is urgent: antipsychotic medications (e.g., risperidone) to stabilize brain chemistry, hospitalization for safety, psychotherapy (CBT for psychosis), and support for recovery. Early intervention improves outcomes up to 80% achieve remission with prompt care.

Psychosis affects ~3% of people lifetime; it's treatable, not a moral failing. Seek professional help immediately if suspected call emergency services for crises.