What psychological disorder is characterized by a loss of contact with reality?

The psychological disorder characterized by a loss of contact with reality is psychosis. Psychosis is an umbrella term that refers to a range of symptoms that affect the mind, leading to a disconnection from reality. Individuals experiencing psychosis may have distorted perceptions, such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there) or delusions (strongly held false beliefs).

While schizophrenia is a specific type of psychotic disorder that significantly affects a person's thoughts, feelings, and behavior, not all cases of psychosis are classified as schizophrenia. Other conditions, including mood disorders and severe anxiety disorders, can also present with psychotic features.

Extrapyramidal symptoms relate to drug-induced movement disorders and are not directly a psychotic condition; they arise often in the context of antipsychotic treatment. Delusional disorder is a more specific diagnosis within the realm of psychosis that primarily features a persistent false belief, but again, it does not encompass the broader aspects of a general loss of contact with reality experienced in psychosis.

Thus, psychosis is correctly identified as the category that broadly indicates a loss of reality, encompassing various conditions, including schizophrenia, making it the correct choice.