Psychotic disorders are a group of serious illnesses that affect the mind. They make it hard for someone to think clearly, make good judgments, respond emotionally, communicate effectively, understand reality, and behave appropriately.
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe mental disorder that affects the way a person thinks, acts, expresses emotions, perceives reality, and relates to others. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling.
Its two main symptoms are hallucinations and delusions. Psychosis can have several causes, such as mental health disorders, medical conditions, or substance use.
Schizophrenia causes behavior changes, delusions and hallucinations that last longer than six months and affect social interaction, school and work.
The condition usually shows its first signs in men in their late teens or early 20s. It mostly affects women in their early 20s and 30s.
There are five types of symptoms characteristic of schizophrenia: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized behavior, and the so-called “negative” symptoms.
Psychotic disorder of schizophrenia
