Psychotic Disorders
A psychotic disorder is a mental disorder characterized by abnormal thinking, perceptions, and behaviors that may include delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking and speech, and abnormal motor behavior. Psychotic disorders can cause significant distress, impaired functioning, and a loss of touch with reality.
Some common types of psychotic disorders include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, and brief psychotic disorder. Psychotic symptoms may also occur in other mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, depression with psychotic features, and substance-induced psychosis.
Psychotic disorders are typically diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and a thorough psychiatric evaluation. Treatment for psychotic disorders may include medication, psychotherapy, and supportive care. Early intervention and treatment are important for improving outcomes and reducing the risk of long-term disability.
Schizophrenia: To be diagnosed with schizophrenia, an individual must have two or more of the following symptoms for a significant portion of one month: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, or negative symptoms. In addition, social or occupational dysfunction must be present for a significant portion of the time since the onset of symptoms.
Schizoaffective disorder: Schizoaffective disorder is diagnosed when an individual experiences a major mood episode (depressive or manic) concurrent with symptoms of schizophrenia, including delusions or hallucinations, for a significant portion of the illness.
Delusional disorder: Delusional disorder is characterized by the presence of one or more delusions for at least one month, without the presence of other symptoms of schizophrenia.
Brief psychotic disorder: Brief psychotic disorder is diagnosed when an individual experiences at least one of the following symptoms for at least one day but less than one month: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, or grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior.
Schizophreniform disorder: Schizophreniform disorder is diagnosed when an individual experiences symptoms of schizophrenia for a period of at least one month but less than six months.
Substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder: Substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder is diagnosed when the individual's symptoms of psychosis are judged to be a direct result of substance abuse or medication use.
Psychotic disorder due to another medical condition: Psychotic disorder due to another medical condition is diagnosed when the individual's symptoms of psychosis are judged to be due to a medical condition.