Psychotic Disorders

Severe confusion and losing touch with reality are the two main indicators of a psychotic disorder. Bizarre behavior, incoherent speech, and hallucinations occur during psychotic episodes. The person is not sure what is real and what is not real. Most people would say that that person is schizophrenic, but schizophrenia is just one of several psychotic disorders.

The experts at Trinity Psychiatric Health offer treatment and guidance in the care of patients with psychotic disorders.

During a hallucination, the patient may see or hear things that are not real. Odors and funny tastes are also experienced during hallucinations.

A delusion is an absolute belief in something false. If that belief is way out of proportion with reality, it is called a grandiose delusion. When a person believes that people are “out to get” them, it is a persecutory delusion. While others may see this behavior and belief to be random and fictional, the hallucination or delusion is very real to the person experiencing them.

• Schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder and lasts more than six months.

• Schizophreniform disorder lasts for less than six months.

• Schizoaffective disorders are when two mood disorders are present.

• Brief psychotic disorders are brief episodes (less than one month) that are typically triggered by a stressful situation.

• Delusional disorder lasts for at least one month.

• Psychotic disorders can be due to substance abuse (alcohol or drugs) or a medical condition (such as a brain tumor).

• Paraphrenia is schizophrenia seen in elderly patients.