Psychosis - Specialists and Information on Psychotic Disorders

Psychotic disorders (psychoses) include:

• Schizotypal Disorder

A disorder characterized by odd behavior and unusual thought patterns and moods. There are no clear and characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia. The course of the disorder is chronic, and treatment is difficult. Some patients respond to antipsychotic medications.

• Persistent Delusional Disorder (Paranoia)

Paranoia is usually chronic and manifests as a single delusional belief or several related delusional themes (“systematized delusion”). Well-known forms include delusions of persecution, jealousy, or love.

People suffering from persecutory delusions believe they are being persecuted.  Delusions of being loved are the delusional conviction of being adored or loved by a specific person. This conviction has no basis in reality; it is usually based on assumptions. Isolated glances and gestures are overinterpreted. 

Drugs are the most common cause of psychosis @ alexkoral /AdobeStock

• Transient acute psychotic disorders

They usually last for a shorter period (about four weeks) and have a benign course with typical schizophrenic symptoms. The disorder usually begins abruptly and acutely.

• Induced delusional disorder (folie à deux)

Folie à deux occurs when a healthy person adopts delusional beliefs from a person with a mental illness. Spouses are often affected.

• Schizoaffective disorders

A schizoaffective disorder is present when psychosis and mood swings coexist. 

Mood swings can be depressive or manic. Characteristic features of psychosis include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and speech, and inappropriate behavior.

For this reason, specialists further subdivide schizoaffective disorder into:

• schizoaffective disorder, currently manic (F 25.0)
• schizoaffective disorder, currently depressive (F 25.1)
• mixed schizoaffective disorder (F 25.2)

The first episode of psychosis usually occurs between the ages of 12 and 29; men and women are equally affected @ Photographee.eu /AdobeStock

Psychotic disorders are less common than schizophrenia and have a better prognosis. As a general rule, the more pronounced the schizophrenic symptoms are, the poorer the long-term prognosis.

About 20 percent of patients have a chronic course of the illness, while the rest experience recurrent episodes. Over a 25-year period, there are, on average, 6 relapses.

Depending on the severity, doctors treat psychotic disorders as follows:

• Schizoaffective disorders: With antipsychotics
• Schizomanic episodes: Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. 
• To prevent further episodes: A combination of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics