Psychotic Disorders Treatment

The Symptoms of a Psychotic Disorder

People typically experience three main symptoms when they have a psychotic episode. Someone may suffer from hallucinations and delusions. They may also develop confused or disturbed thoughts.

During a hallucination, the individual may hear or see something that is not actually happening. They may hear voices or see people who are not there. Additionally, they may also taste, smell or feel something that is not actually present.

Confused and disturbed thinking can make it difficult to follow a single train of thought. The individual may switch from one topic to another. They may also pause in the middle of a sentence. In other instances, the individual may speak rapidly without pausing at all.

Delusions are beliefs that something untrue is true. For example, someone may have grandiose delusions of being a king or an archangel. In other cases, someone may have a persecutory delusion that an assassin is trying to kill them. Unfortunately, people are generally unable to realize that their delusions and hallucinations are untrue during a psychotic episode. Because of this, they may feel severely distressed.

Each person is different, so their delusions and hallucinations can vary. The symptoms of psychotic disorders can make it difficult for someone to have relationships or to maintain a job. Other than the three main signs of a psychotic episode, individuals may also suffer from the following symptoms as well.
 

• Loss of interest in hobbies.

• Confused thoughts.

• Unusual or slow movements.

• Depression, mania or mood swings.

• Difficulties maintaining personal relationships.

• Incoherent speech.

• Problems expressing emotion.

• Poor personal hygiene.

• Difficulties at school or work.

• Unusual or dangerous behavior.

• Cold, detached attitude.

Treatment

While there is no cure for psychosis, there are many different treatment options. With proper care, someone can manage their condition and live a normal life. In general, individuals will be treated with antipsychotic medications and therapy.

Antipsychotic drugs do not cure late-life psychosis and other psychotic disorders. Instead, they help patients alleviate the most troubling symptoms. Chlorpromazine, loxapine and haloperidol are good examples of older antipsychotic medications. New antipsychotic medications are also available. For example, you may be prescribed paliperidone, iloperidone, clozapine or risperidone. Because the new medications have fewer side effects, many doctors focus on prescribing these drugs first.

If you have a delusional disorder or another kind of psychotic disorder, your psychiatrist may also want to treat you with therapeutic options. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular option because it helps people change how they perceive certain situations. During CBT, patients are able to identify different patterns of thinking, feeling and acting. By learning which feelings lead to certain thoughts or actions, they can change how they deal with day-to-day life.

Cognitive enhancement therapy (CET) focuses on cognitive processes and social cognition. It uses neurocognitive enhancement exercises, homework assignments, individual coaching and groups to help patients improve their emotional information processing. Through this intervention, people are more likely to experience positive outcomes.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a kind of CBT. Instead of trying to change your feelings, it helps you learn how to accept them. To achieve this goal, you may use mindfulness or other methods.

Finally, some patients receive individual therapy, family counseling or group therapy as well. Family therapy is useful for changing communication patterns within the family. Additionally, family members can learn how to support their loved ones. Meanwhile, group therapy gives patients a supportive environment for sharing their symptoms and experiences with people who are going through the same problems.
 

Types of Psychotic Disorders

There are many kinds of psychotic disorders, so it is important to get treatment from an experienced psychiatrist. Through the help of a board-certified psychiatrist, you can get a correct diagnosis and supportive care. Depending on your symptoms, you may be diagnosed with one of the following conditions.
​​

Brief psychotic disorder

This condition often happens in response to a death or a similarly stressful event. People generally develop psychotic behavior for a short period of time. Afterward, they recover.

​

Schizophrenia

 

This disorder can cause hallucinations, delusions and behavior changes. Over time, this psychotic disorder can make it impossible to go to school or keep a job.

​

Schizoaffective disorder

​

If you have schizophrenia and a mood disorder, you will most likely get this diagnosis.

 

Substance-induced psychotic disorder

​

After someone uses or abruptly quits using drugs, they may develop psychosis. This condition can occur after someone uses crack cocaine, hallucinogens or other drugs.

​

Delusional disorder

When someone has this disorder, they have a delusion about something in their life. The delusion is a false belief that is not true. For example, someone may believe there is an active plot against them.

 

Paraphrenia

​

Paraphrenia is a schizophrenic disorder, but it generally occurs among the elderly. Late-life psychosis can be especially difficult to deal with.

​

Shared psychotic disorder

​

This disorder occurs when someone adopts a delusion that another person already suffers from.

 

Psychotic disorders from medical conditions

​

Sometimes, people can develop delusions, hallucinations and similar symptoms because of another illness. For example, this problem can develop following a head injury.

​

Get Help at a Treatment Center in Orlando

If you live in Florida, you are in luck. Spark Wellness Group serves patients in Orlando and the surrounding areas. Our board-certified psychiatrists have years of experience helping patients get the best psychotic disorders treatment. To find out more information, email us to schedule an initial consultation.

​