Psychotic disorders cause abnormal thinking. Individuals may have hallucinations and see, hear, or feel something that is not real. Those with psychotic disorders may not understand the difference between reality and delusions. They lose touch with reality and can become suspicious of their loved ones. For example, they may believe that their family is plotting against them.
Schizophrenia is one of the types of mental disorders with psychotic behaviors. Although schizophrenia affects less than 1 percent of the population, it is such a serious condition that the diagnosis is well-known by most people. Treatment can help someone suffering from schizophrenia, but there is no cure.
With schizophrenia, individuals’ perception is skewed. They may have difficulty displaying emotion, paying attention, processing information, and making decisions. They may not make sense when they speak.
Other psychotic disorders include:
· Postpartum psychosis. Some new mothers develop psychological problems within two weeks of delivery that cause delusions, hallucinations, irritability, hyperactivity, paranoia, and mood swings. This psychotic disorder is temporary and treatable.
· Schizoaffective disorder, which is when an individual has symptoms from both a schizophrenic and a mood disorder, like depression or bipolar disorders.
Substances, like alcohol and illicit drugs, can affect someone’s brain. The rate of substance-induced psychosis has increased, and continual abuse of substances.
Psychotic health conditions are more prevalent in men than women. Symptoms of a psychotic disorder typically present sometime between the man’s 16th and 25th birthday.However, symptoms of these types of mental disorders present differently in women. Psychotic disorders in women first show in their late 20s and early 40s.
