What are Schizophrenia Spectrum and other Psychotic Disorders?

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that can be severe and disabling, causing impairment in functioning. Sometimes people can hear voices that others don’t hear, feel that others may control their thoughts, or that people want to harm them. Often times family or other caregivers must help care for patients suffering from these disorders. However, it is important to realize that safe and effective treatment exists and people suffering from psychotic disorders can lead meaningful lives if given the proper chance. If you are concerned about a loved one or yourself, come in for an evaluation.

Specific Psychotic Disorders:

• Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
• Schizotypal (Personality) Disorder
• Delusional Disorder
• Brief Psychotic Disorder
• Schizophreniform Disorder
• Schizoaffective Disorder
• Substance/Medication-Induced Psychotic Disorder
• Psychotic Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
• Catatonia

What are some general signs or symptoms of Psychotic Disorders?

In general, people with psychotic disorders experience the following symptoms in various combinations. Hallucinations are things that someone sees, hears, or feels that others do not. Commonly, patients complain of hearing voices that others cannot hear. Sometimes, these voices can command a person to do things. Delusions are fixed and false beliefs not otherwise part of a person’s culture that are unshakable even if shown to be illogical or untrue. Disorganized thinking can take on many forms including difficulty connecting thoughts together in a logical manner, making up meaningless words, or even stopping talking mid-sentence (thought blocking). Movement Disorders can take the form of repetitive movements or even catatonia, which is where a person does not move and does not respond to other people.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

If you think that you or a loved one may have a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, contact us to come in for an evaluation and we can discuss various options for treatment. There are safe and effective medications ranging from pills taken on a daily basis to long acting injectable medication given every 2 weeks, 4 weeks, or even 12 weeks.