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Psychotic Disorders

​​Psychotic Disorders are a group of disorders of the mind which affect how you think, feel and behave.​

Psychotic Disorders
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The Psychotic Disorders are a group of disorders of the mind which affect how you think, feel and behave. Approximately 2.3% (1 in 50 people) of our local population has ever had a psychotic disorder in their lifetime.


Examples of Psychotic Disorders are:
  • Schizophrenia
  • Schizophreniform disorder
  • Brief psychotic disorder
  • Delusional disorder
  • Schizoaffective disorder
  • Substance-induced psychotic disorder

They differ from one another in terms of the duration of symptoms and/or the types of symptoms which are present.​

​Symptoms of psychosis include the following:

  • ​Hallucinations: Hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting or feeling things which are not there.

  • Delusions: Beliefs which you hold with certainty but which seem strange, mistaken or unrealistic to others, and are inconsistent with your culture, religion or background. For example, believing that you are being persecuted or controlled.

  • Disorganised thinking or speech: Your thoughts become disconnected from one another, you find it harder to concentrate, and others find it difficult to follow your train of thought.

  • Disorganised behaviour: This may manifest in a variety of ways, such as behaviours which do not fit the situation, difficulty performing activities of daily living, or abnormal response to the environment.

  • 'Negative' symptoms: Having a reduction in, or loss of, your normal functions such as thoughts, emotions, motivations and sociability.
 
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There may be a gradual change in you or a decline in your functioning before obvious symptoms begin. You may not be aware that something is wrong.

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It is important to bear in mind that many different factors may be involved in the development of a psychotic disorder, and no one particular factor is in itself entirely causative.


Risk factors can include:
  • Genetic factors
  • Family history
  • Drugs and alcohol
  • Brain damage
  • Stress
  • Traumatic experiences

Diagnosis
​There are no laboratory tests or scans which diagnose a psychotic disorder. The diagnosis is made based on a detailed interview with you (and can be supplemented by information from someone who knows you well), mental state examination, and excluding other possible causes of the symptoms where relevant. Your doctor will advise you if laboratory tests or a brain scan is necessary.


Treatment
Early detection and treatment allow for better outcomes. It is possible for people with a psychotic disorder to make a full recovery.

Medication is an important first step in easing the most disturbing symptoms of the illness, and allows other aspects of treatment to occur.

Other important aspects of treatment include psychoeducation about the illness, counselling, psychotherapy to learn coping and stress management skills to prevent future episodes, and practical assistance with school, work and accommodation. Family support can be very useful as well.