Hollywood horror films have given the public a warped perception of psychotic disorders. While these conditions make up an extreme category of mental illness, the idea of crazed and incurable psych patients is a harmful trope that can hinder recovery. The seriousness of these disorders cannot be overstated, though, and without treatment, positive outcomes are exceedingly rare.
Transformations at Mending Fences recognizes the severity of psychotic disorders and how they can destroy lives. Whether you’re noticing strange behavior in yourself or a family member, procrastination is your worst enemy. Those who suffer from these conditions often deteriorate over time. This means understanding is important, but reaching out for help is crucial.
Psychotic disorders are a category of severe mental health illnesses that lead to abnormal perceptions and cognitive processes. They can completely change a person’s sense of reality, and in doing so, it can become impossible to separate what’s real from what isn’t. The two most common symptoms of these illnesses are delusions and hallucinations.
Hallucinations occur when someone hears, feels or sees something that isn’t really there. They are false perceptions. False beliefs are known as delusions. An example of this would be someone thinking they’re the President of the United States or that secret underworld forces are plotting against them. It is possible, though, for other illnesses to cause these symptoms.
Psychotic disorders vary in symptoms and severity. And while they’re rare overall, recent studies show the pervasiveness of these diseases may be higher than once thought. One study found a lifetime prevalence rate of over 3 percent for these disorders. Prescriptions and talk therapy have shown success as treatment options, but in some cases, these conditions may require hospitalization.
Understanding the different types of disorders that fall into this category is necessary for effective treatment. Medical experts are unsure what leads to these conditions. Theories include extreme trauma, drug abuse, neurological issues and viruses. Regardless of the underlying cause, though, you should seek treatment for any of these disorders.
Pinpointing exactly what a person is suffering from is essential for treatment. For instance, someone dealing with one of these illnesses could also have substance abuse disorder. This doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that their psychosis is substance-induced. Abusing drugs could have come as a method of coping with symptoms.
Fortunately, you don’t have to pinpoint a specific illness in order to seek help. If you notice any symptoms of psychosis, reach out to Transformations at Mending Fences today.
In addition to hallucinations and delusions, there are several other symptoms of psychotic disorders. Each illness will have its own red flags, but some signs commonly appear with several diseases in this category.
These symptoms can also be indicative of other mental illnesses, alcohol use disorder or drug abuse. In all cases, though, they should cause some concern. If you notice these symptoms in you or a loved one, reach out to Transformations at Mending Fences today. We can help you figure out what’s going on.
It’s heartbreaking that individuals with psychotic disorders were once merely placed in asylums. Fortunately, science and mental health treatment has come a long way since those days. It’s now possible for many who suffer from these conditions to receive outpatient care that minimizes interference in their lives.
These are just a few of the treatment options that have shown promise:
In addition to these therapies, Transformations at Mending Fences has other offerings meant to improve outcomes. These include trauma focus groups, co-occurring disorder treatments, coping skill classes, emotional regulation and even equine therapy. Effective treatment plans can look very different between clients, so it’s vital to provide as many therapeutic tools as possible.
Few psychiatric illnesses have symptoms as severe as those seen with psychotic disorders. Completely losing grasp on reality is not an uncommon outcome, and those who experience such a condition cannot get better without proper treatment. Fortunately, decades of research has given us tools that can help sufferers take their lives back.
Transformations at Mending Fences is staffed by professionals with experience treating schizophrenia, delusional disorder, paraphrenia and other psychotic disorders. Through a combination of medication and therapies, our staff can get you or a loved one on track to better mental health. Contact us today to learn how we can help you overcome this burden.
Sources
National Institute of Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/schizophrenia.shtml
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/psychotic-disorders
U.S. National Library of Medicine
https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html
JAMA Network Open
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/209973
Dr. Amiel is a psychiatrist in Gainesville, FL, and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area… Read More
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