Psychotic Disorders

Patients with psychotic disorders may experience intense paranoia about impossible scenarios—such as believing that the TV is sending them secret messages or that someone is stalking them—or hallucinations that they cannot distinguish from reality. If you or a loved one is experiencing a serious episode of psychosis and you believe a life is at risk, seek hospitalization immediately.

To obtain a clinical diagnosis, you first need to consult a trained professional, such as a therapist or psychiatrist. They will use tools such as a standardized mental health screening, asking questions to learn more about how you think and your state of mind. Blood work may also be done to assess your physical health; it can reveal hormone imbalances and other deficiencies that could be contributing to your condition.

Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are some of the most serious mental health conditions, and each patient requires care that is unique to their condition and its severity. In most cases, treatment involves both psychiatric and psychotherapeutic sessions: your clinician will likely prescribe medication to manage symptoms while you work toward lasting progress in therapy.