Psychotic Disorders

When traumatic experiences happen in childhood, they often resurface as people become teens and adults. Being triggered or reminded of unpleasant experiences, including abuse or neglect or the death of a loved one, can be difficult to suppress. The horrifying images and reminders get stuck in a person’s mind. 

Once stuck, relieving the experiences can cause depression, anxiety, and other psychotic disorders. At this point, life can feel like it’s moving in the wrong direction. Walking down the street feels like all eyes are on you. Even natural disasters can feel like they are because of your actions. Life feels ultimately out of control.

Even though recovery feels impossible at this point, it’s not. Through proper treatment, people living with psychotic disorders can gain insights into their trauma. They also learn coping strategies for dealing with it. Recovery is about being open to vulnerability and finding support and strength on the way back up to a better quality of life. 

What is Psychotic Disorder?

Psychotic disorder is a term to explain a set of mental illnesses. Individuals with a psychotic disorder experience episodes of psychosis. That’s when they become disconnected from reality. Changes occur in thinking, emotions, and behavior. Perception is also affected, making distinguishing between reality and the tricks the mind plays difficult. 

While there isn’t a single cause of psychotic disorders, we understand that factors contribute. Those include genetics, environment, brain development, and traumatic experiences. 

Because of the different changes that occur in the brain as children develop, psychotic disorders are typically not diagnosed until late teens and early adulthood. 

Types of Psychotic Disorders

The most common chronic and long-lasting characteristics of psychotic disorders occur when a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts. These are obsessions. Compulsions onset as well. These are when individuals feel the urge to repeat actions over and over. 

Hallucinations are also typical. This is when people think they see people, images, or events that aren’t there or never actually happened. 

When obsessions, compulsions, and hallucinations meet, they alter the way a person functions in their daily lives. Tasks we take for granted, such as going to work, school, or running to the store to pick up essential items, are mammoth tasks. 

Below are some of the common psychotic disorders and symptoms of each.

• Schizophrenia is the most well-known psychotic disorder popularized by pop culture. Movies like Psycho and shows like Criminal Minds have us believe that all people with schizophrenia are violent and destructive individuals. However, those representations are not always completely accurate. 

People with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims of violent crimes than the ones committing them. They often withdraw from social settings because of hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and speech. Their impaired cognitive functioning makes them more likely to be accused of actions they didn’t do and marginalized by society.

• Schizoaffective Disorder occurs when schizophrenia meets a mood disorder. Mood disorders can include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. This combination can be debilitating for individuals.
  
• Brief Psychotic Disorder is a brief disconnect from reality. A person will suddenly act out of character. A current traumatic event or unexpected stressor turns on the short episode, and individuals experience delusions, hallucinations, or unusually erratic behavior. The period usually lasts around a month and can be treated with medication and therapy with early intervention.
  
• Delusional Disorder tends to be less severe than other psychotic disorders. This is because some of the typical psychotic symptoms don’t arise. Instead, a person has delusions that can happen in their lives. The problem is that even though the events are possible, there is no evidence that they will happen.
  
• Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder, like many mental health disorders, is usually not diagnosed in isolation. Substance use disorder (SUD) is a common condition associated with psychotic disorders. Often, people use substances to cope with mental illness. The inverse also happens. People with mental disorders can develop a SUD.
  
• Psychotic Depression is linked to major depressive disorder, the most common type of depression. The symptoms include feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities once found enjoyable, changes in eating habits, disruptive sleep patterns, and trouble concentrating, even on routine tasks. The typical symptoms of psychotic disorder are present as well. This is a complex combination for many individuals.
  
• Postpartum Psychosis is the rarest of psychotic disorders. It can occur after women give birth. When hallucinations, delusion, confusion, and mood changes occur, the possibility of harming oneself or the newborn requires medical supervision for women experiencing postpartum psychosis. 

Each psychotic disorder has specific criteria and guidelines for diagnosing them. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides a comprehensive overview. 

If you or someone you know has symptoms of psychotic disorder, it is essential to know treatment is possible. Individuals can learn to manage their symptoms and even keep them from recurring. 

Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), as well as medically-assisted detoxification and medication management for co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD). 

Understanding the Facts about Psychotic Disorders

The National Institute of Mental Health explains that it is difficult to get an accurate account of the number of people with psychotic disorders. However, it is safe to say that between 15-100 people out of every 100,000 develop a psychotic disorder each year.

• Psychotic disorders are not uncommon. People with schizophrenia are not alone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 24 million people have the disorder.
  
• While symptoms can peak in late teens up to early adulthood, psychotic symptoms can present in younger individuals. If you notice repeated patterns of common symptoms, a medical assessment should be administered to render a medical diagnosis.
  
• Not everyone responds with the same severity of symptoms for psychotic disorders. However, they can persist over time and become a pattern in a person’s life if left untreated.
  
• Psychotic disorders have a way of claiming a person’s life. The disorders can interfere with productive social relationships, self-care, work, and school if untreated.
  
• Psychotic disorders do not result from a person’s actions or thinking. A genetic predisposition to psychotic disorders tends to be the leading cause. Trauma and unexpected stressors follow as leading causes.
  
• Psychotic disorders tend to co-occur with other mental health conditions. These include depression, bipolar, anxiety, personality, and substance use disorders (SUD).

Recognizing Signs and Dangers of Psychotic Disorders

If you or someone you know might be experiencing a psychotic disorder or episode, there are specific signs you can look for. These signs are important to take note of and to watch for patterns. Without medical treatment, the individual could be in danger of harming themselves or engaging in risky behaviors. 

• Delusions: false beliefs not based in reality; believing others are plotting against their safety; thinking one possesses supernatural abilities; believing one has a terminal medical condition
  
• Hallucinations: hearing voices are sounds that aren’t there; seeing or feeling sensations that aren’t real; tasting or smelling things that no one else can
  
• Disorganized Thinking and Speech: trouble organizing one’s thoughts; incoherent or confusing speech patterns; consistently straying off topic during a conversation
  
• Abnormal Behavior: atypical behavior for an individual’s usual personality; acts that go against social norms; inability to perform daily tasks; agitation, unresponsiveness; engaging in risky behaviors

Importance of Psychotic Disorder Treatment

If you or someone you know suffers from a psychotic disorder, treatment is the first step in getting a handle on the behaviors. If left untreated, an individual will continue to live a disruptive life. Individuals need medical support from professionals who understand their specific concerns. 

From there, the treatment team can develop individualized goals. Working collaboratively with each individual, treatment facilities can develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to the mental health disorders, substance abuse, and other underlying issues.

Through proper medication and support, individuals with a psychotic disorder can manage their symptoms and reduce the negative impact that behaviors and emotions have on their lives.

Inpatient Program

Inpatient or residential treatment is a practical approach to treating psychotic disorders.

Residential treatment provides intensive care and a stable environment for bipolar individuals. 

It offers round-the-clock monitoring by behavioral specialists, medication management, and therapy. You can pause to get better without distractions.

Inpatient programs focus on stabilizing mood swings and teaching coping skills.

The supportive community in residential treatment helps individuals manage their condition better and relate to others. 

Intensive Outpatient Program

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are a flexible treatment option without an inpatient stay. You get to maintain your daily routines while still addressing your illness. IOP aims to stabilize mood swings, manage symptoms, and improve functioning.

Partial Hospitalization Program

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) offers structured care during the day, allowing you to return home at night. It provides intensive treatment, including medication management and counseling, tailored to psychotic disorders. 

PHP closely watches symptoms, establishes routines, and builds a supportive community. Research shows that PHP significantly improves symptom management and overall quality of life for individuals with psychotic disorders. 

Next Steps for Psychotic Disorder Treatment

Learning coping skills to manage the symptoms of psychotic disorders can improve health, daily functions, and social relationships. Dive In and find the help you need. 

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those struggling with psychotic disorders. We are stronger together than we are alone.