Psychotic Disorders

Psychotic disorders are serious mental health conditions in which a person loses touch with reality. They often involve hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real), delusions (false beliefs), and disorganized thinking. Understanding psychotic disorders is important because they affect not only the individual but also families and communities, and early treatment improves outcomes.

• Schizophrenia: Long-term disorder with hallucinations, delusions, and impaired daily functioning.

• Schizoaffective Disorder: A mix of schizophrenia symptoms along with mood disorder symptoms

• Brief Psychotic Disorder: Short episodes of psychosis triggered by stress, usually lasting less than a month.

• Delusional Disorder: Strong, false beliefs without other major psychotic symptoms.

• Medications: Antipsychotic drugs to control hallucinations and delusions.

• Psychotherapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps manage thoughts and behavior.

• Rehabilitation Programs: Focus on social skills, vocational training, and independent living.

• Hospitalization: In severe cases, short-term hospital care ensures safety and stabilization.

• Myth: People with psychotic disorders are always violent.

• Fact: Most people with psychosis are not violent; they are more likely to be victims.

• Myth: Psychotic disorders cannot be treated.

• Fact: With proper treatment, many individuals lead fulfilling lives.

• Educating people about these facts is important to reduce discrimination.