What condition is characterized by a loss of contact with reality in older adults, often requiring antipsychotic medications?

The condition characterized by a loss of contact with reality in older adults is psychosis. Psychosis is a mental health condition where individuals may experience symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking, leading to an impaired perception of reality. In older adults, psychosis can manifest as a result of various factors, including underlying mental health disorders, medical conditions, or substance use.

Antipsychotic medications are commonly prescribed to manage the symptoms of psychosis, helping to stabilize mood and improve the individual's functioning. This approach is particularly critical in older adults, where the risk of complications from untreated psychosis can be significant.

Other conditions listed—such as panic disorder, delirium, and schizophrenia—do not typically encompass the same symptoms or require the same treatment strategies in the context of a loss of reality. For instance, while schizophrenia does involve psychosis, it primarily refers to a chronic disorder diagnosed in younger populations, whereas psychosis itself can occur acutely in older adults in various contexts.