Psychotic Disorder
What are psychotic disorders?
Psychotic disorders are severe mental health disorders that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions. Persons with a psychotic disorder often lose touch with reality and may experience symptoms like delusions and hallucinations.
Psychotic disorders can be highly distressing, impacting a person’s quality of life and ability to maintain self-care. However, most of these conditions can be managed with medication and therapy.
What are the types of psychotic disorders?
Schizophrenia, it is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thoughts and speech, unusual behavior, and withdrawal.
Schizoaffective disorder, this disorder is defined as having symptoms of both schizophrenia and a mood disorder (such as depression or bipolar disorder).
Brief psychotic disorder, this condition is defined by an episode of psychotic behavior that lasts for less than one month.
Delusional disorder, those with delusional disorder have false beliefs involving real-life situations. For example, a person with the disorder may falsely believe that someone is plotting against them or that a partner is being unfaithful.
Psychotic disorder due to another medical condition, as some medical conditions can cause hallucinations and/or delusions. This can result from conditions like traumatic brain injury or dementia.
What are the symptoms of psychotic disorders?
Symptoms of psychotic disorders are usually separated into two categories:
Positive Symptoms:
Delusions.
Hallucinations.
Disordered thoughts and speech.
Agitation.
Restlessness.
Negative Symptoms:
Social withdrawal.
Diminished emotional expression.
Lack of self-care.
Apathy.
What are the causes of psychotic disorders?
Genetics: Psychotic conditions have a strong genetic component. They are more common among people who have one or more family members with a psychotic disorder. However, a person can develop one of these conditions without having a family history, and a person who has family members with psychotic disorders will not necessarily develop one.
Changes in the brain structure: Some neurological disorders can cause psychosis especially neurodegenerative disorders. Brain shrinkage (atrophy) can cause the onset of a psychotic disorder.
Other causes: Some immunological anti-bodies have been associated with some psychotic disorders. However, their significance is unclear.
How can we at Mind Clinic help with psychotic disorders?
Every person struggling with a psychotic disorder has their own treatment plan tailored for them depending on many different factors. First, we begin by doing a risk assessment then a full medical and psychiatric assessment if possible. Thus, a personalized plan can be created. Treatment plans might include:
Hospital admission:
A hospital admission is considered if the person suffering from a psychotic disorder is going through a relapse and is posing a threat to himself or others. It allows for close monitoring and evaluation around the hour.
Medical treatment:
With Anti-psychotic medications with or without other add-on medications.
Psychotherapy:
Usually after remission from a psychotic episode. It helps with the lasting effects of a stressful event such as psychosis, how to get back to normal life and with post-psychotic depression.
Family therapy for the family of a person suffering from psychosis. The main aims of these sessions is to help them understand, and know the proper ways of helping the affected family member. As well as helping them navigate these stressful situations as they are affected by it as well.
Citations:
Moawad, H. (2024) Understanding psychotic disorders, Verywell Health. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/psychotic-disorders-5097094 (Accessed: 01 October 2024).