8 - Organic Psychosis

Organic psychosis is any behavioural disorder attributed to damage or disease in the body that seriously affects one’s mental state. Senile psychosis is the term for the psychological disorder associated with the organic brain damage that occurs in old age. The term senility is applied to the general deterioration that may occur with brain damage due to hardening of the walls of the arteries that results in a decreased circulation of blood in the brain. Alzheimer’s Disease (senile psychosis) is studied in more detail in the next part of this lesson.

Alcohol Psychosis

Alcohol Psychosis is form of organic psychosis that has its origin in excessive alcohol use over long periods of time. Alcoholism is one of the most serious forms of addiction. Heavy drinking sometimes causes deterioration of physical health with damage to the liver and brain cells. Psychological functioning is disrupted as well because concentration, memory, and judgment frequently suffer. Alcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant. The chronic alcohol user is less alert, responds slowly, and is less dependable.