This paper attempts to explain occurrences of psychosis through a new understanding: as a coping mechanism. This hypothesis seems to have broad explanatory power. Some qualitative evidence also supports this understanding. This paper concludes that it is possible to understand psychotic episodes as mechanisms for coping with existential distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] . Copyright of Existential Analysis: Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis is the property of Society for Existential Analysis and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.).