Which mental illness is characterized by delusions and hallucinations?

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The mental illness characterized by delusions and hallucinations is schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that affects a person's thinking, feeling, and behavior, manifesting primarily through symptoms such as delusions (false beliefs that are not aligned with reality) and hallucinations (sensory experiences without external stimuli, such as hearing voices). These symptoms can significantly impair an individual's ability to function, impacting their social interactions and overall quality of life.

In contrast, borderline personality disorder primarily involves emotional instability, interpersonal difficulties, and issues with self-image, without predominant delusions or hallucinations. Major depression is primarily characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities, rather than psychotic symptoms. Bipolar disorder includes mood swings that can range from depressive lows to manic highs, but while it may involve psychotic features during severe episodes, these are not defining characteristics of the disorder as a whole. Schizophrenia is distinct in its hallmark features of psychosis, which is why it is the correct answer.

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