An episode of psychosis occurs when a person has a break from reality and often involves strange thinking, feelings, perceptions, and unusual behavior.  Psychosis can develop for many reasons, such as genetics, drug abuse, severe depression, bipolar or anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia.  Psychosis is more common in adults.  However, young adults may experience an episode of psychosis due to hormonal changes in the brain occurring in puberty.  Children may experience visual and auditory hallucinations, although this is more likely due to their imagination, immature cognitive development, anxiety, or depression rather than a serious psychotic episode.  In most of these cases, psychotic symptoms resolve.  A more serious illness of chronic and persistent psychosis is schizophrenia, which is very rare in children.  Approximately 3 in 100 people will experience an episode of psychosis during their lives, but with early intervention and proper treatment, positive outcomes can be achieved.