Psychotic Disorder, what is it:

Psychotic disorder is a category of mental health conditions that involve a disconnection from reality, often characterized by disturbances in thinking, perception, emotions, and behavior. People experiencing a psychotic disorder may have difficulty distinguishing what is real from what is not.

Here are key features of psychotic disorders:

1. Hallucinations

• Sensory experiences without external stimuli, such as hearing voices, seeing things that aren’t there, or feeling sensations on the skin without physical cause.
• Auditory hallucinations (hearing voices) are the most common in psychotic disorders.

2. Delusions

• Strongly held false beliefs that are not based in reality.
• Common types of delusions include:
• Paranoid delusions (e.g., believing that one is being persecuted or conspired against).
• Grandiose delusions (e.g., believing one has extraordinary abilities, wealth, or fame).

3. Disorganized Thinking

• Thought processes may be fragmented, incoherent, or tangential. Speech may become illogical or nonsensical.

4. Disorganized or Abnormal Motor Behavior

• This can range from agitation or catatonia (a lack of movement or responsiveness), to unpredictable or inappropriate actions.

5. Negative Symptoms

• These refer to reduced or absent emotional expression, motivation, or the ability to experience pleasure. A person may seem emotionally flat, avoid social interactions, or have difficulty completing everyday tasks.

Types of Psychotic Disorders

• Schizophrenia: A chronic and severe psychotic disorder involving a combination of hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech and behavior, and negative symptoms.
• Schizoaffective Disorder: Features symptoms of schizophrenia along with mood disorder symptoms, such as depression or mania.
• Brief Psychotic Disorder: A short-term condition where a person experiences a sudden onset of psychotic symptoms, often triggered by stress, but the symptoms resolve within a month.
• Delusional Disorder: Involves persistent delusions without the other symptoms associated with schizophrenia.
• Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder: Psychotic symptoms caused by the use or withdrawal from drugs or alcohol.

Possible Causes

• Psychotic disorders may be triggered by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors.
• Brain chemistry and structural abnormalities, especially involving neurotransmitters like dopamine, may also play a role.

Treatment

• Consult a Medical Doctor for Antipsychotic medications: These help reduce or manage symptoms, especially hallucinations and delusions.
• Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, and supportive counseling help individuals manage symptoms and cope with their condition.
• Hospitalization: In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary to ensure safety and stabilize symptoms.

Shervan K Shahhian