WHAT ARE PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS?
Psychotic disorders also referred to as psychoses, are a category of severe mental disorders associated with abnormal thinking and false perceptions. Psychosis involves significant disruptions to an individual’s thoughts and perceptions, making it challenging for them to discern between what is real and what isn’t.
Understandably, suffering from a psychotic disorder is often described as an extremely frightening and confusing experience.
Many factors may contribute to psychotic disorders. Commonly, psychoses are a symptom of an underlying mental health condition, such as:
- Schizophrenia: A disorder that causes hallucinations, delusions, or both, lasting at least six months and severely limiting daily life and relationships.
- Schizoaffective disorder: A combination of schizophrenia and a mood disorder, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
- Short-term psychotic disorders: In some cases, a psychotic disorder’s symptoms may last less than six months. Usually, these situations are induced by severe stress or a traumatic life event.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
For individuals struggling with a psychotic disorder, losing touch with reality due to hallucinations (false beliefs) and delusions (false perceptions) is a common experience:
- Hallucinations are when you see, hear, or feel something that isn’t there, such as:
- Auditory hallucinations (hearing voices)
- Unexplainable feelings or sensations
- Seeing people or objects that are not there
- Seeing distortions of reality
- Delusions are powerful beliefs that are unlikely to be true and may be considered irrational to others, such as:
- Believing that you are being watched
- Believing that external forces are affecting your thoughts, behaviors, or feelings
- Assigning significance to trivial events, remarks, or objects
- Feeling that you have special powers, are an otherworldly being, or have a specific mission to complete
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT FOR PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
If you believe you may be suffering from the symptoms of a psychotic disorder, Elevate Psychiatry can help. There are many highly effective options for reducing psychotic symptoms so that you can return to a more stable and enjoyable life.
Our experienced team of professionals provides diagnosis and treatment of psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and short-term psychosis. Additionally, we are well-prepared to support individuals experiencing a psychotic disorder in conjunction with other mental conditions or challenges.
Depending on your diagnosis and goals, treatment may involve:
Medication
Counseling, including cognitive behavioral therapy
If left untreated, psychotic disorders can significantly negatively impact your life. Seek help from Elevate Psychiatry to begin moving forward today.