If you are aware that a hallucination is not real, it is not considered psychosis. Psychosis is a term used to describe a mental state where a person experiences a loss of contact with reality. It involves a range of symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and abnormal behavior.
Hallucinations, in the context of psychosis, are perceptions of things that are not actually present and can involve seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling things that others cannot. When a person is in a state of psychosis, they may fully believe that their hallucinations are real and happening in the external world, even though they are not.
If someone is aware that their hallucinations are not real and they can differentiate between what is real and what is not, it is not considered psychosis. The term used to describe this condition is "hallucinatory insight" or "insight into hallucinations." In this situation, the individual maintains contact with reality despite experiencing hallucinations. They understand that the hallucinations are a product of their own mind and do not reflect external reality.
It's essential to differentiate between psychosis and hallucinatory insight because they have different clinical implications and treatment approaches. Psychosis often requires intervention, as it can be associated with various mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. On the other hand, hallucinatory insight may occur in conditions like schizotypal personality disorder or in some cases of grief or trauma but does not necessarily indicate a severe mental illness requiring treatment.
If you or someone you know is experiencing hallucinations or any concerning mental health symptoms, it's crucial to seek professional help from a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional for a proper evaluation and appropriate guidance.