Psychotic Disorders: An Overview
Psychotic disorders are a group of severe mental health conditions that cause distorted thinking, emotions, and perceptions. Characterized by a loss of contact with reality, psychotic disorders can cause a person to experience delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, and other cognitive disturbances. While the exact cause of psychotic disorders is largely unknown, research suggests that genetics, environment, and brain chemistry may all be involved. Treatment for psychotic disorders typically includes a combination of antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy.
Epidemiology
Psychotic disorders are more common than many people realize. Estimates suggest that around 3% of people in the United States will experience a psychotic disorder at some point in their life (Kessler, et al., 2005). Schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder, and is estimated to affect up to 1% of the population (Lasser, et al., 2000). Other psychotic disorders, such as schizoaffective disorder and delusional disorder, occur less often.
Risk Factors
Although the exact cause of psychotic disorders is not known, research suggests that a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors may be involved. Genetics appear to be a major factor, as individuals with a family history of psychotic disorders are more likely to develop a psychotic disorder themselves (Kendler, et al., 1993). Environmental factors, such as experiencing trauma or growing up in a stressful or chaotic environment, may also increase the risk of developing a psychotic disorder (Ng, et al., 2009).
Symptoms
The symptoms of psychotic disorders vary from person to person. Common symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, and other cognitive disturbances. Delusions are false beliefs that are not based in reality, such as believing that people are plotting against you or that you are a famous person. Hallucinations involve seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not real. Disorganized speech or behavior can include speaking in a jumbled or nonsensical manner, or engaging in odd or inappropriate behavior. Other cognitive disturbances can include difficulty concentrating, poor memory, and difficulty understanding information.
Treatment
The treatment for psychotic disorders typically involves a combination of antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy. Antipsychotic medications are the primary treatment for psychotic disorders and are designed to reduce the symptoms of psychosis. Psychotherapy can also be helpful in managing psychotic symptoms and helping the individual cope with the challenges of living with a psychotic disorder. In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary to ensure the safety of the individual.
Conclusion
Psychotic disorders are a group of severe mental health conditions that cause distorted thinking, emotions, and perceptions. While the exact cause of psychotic disorders is unknown, research suggests that genetics, environment, and brain chemistry may all be involved. Treatment for psychotic disorders typically includes a combination of antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy. With proper treatment, many individuals with psychotic disorders can lead full and productive lives.
References
Kessler, R.C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K.R., & Walters, E.E. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593-602.
Lasser, K., Boyd, J.W., Woolhandler, S., Himmelstein, D.U., McCormick, D., & Bor, D.H. (2000). Smoking and mental illness: A population-based prevalence study. JAMA, 284(20), 2606-2610.
Kendler, K.S., Prescott, C.A., Myers, J., & Neale, M.C. (1993). The structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for six major psychiatric disorders in women. Archives of General Psychiatry, 60(9), 929-937.
Ng, C.H., Chong, S.A., Subramaniam, M., & Abdin, E. (2009). Childhood trauma and psychotic experiences in the general population. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 50(3), 221-227.