Psychoses are severe mental health conditions in which the perception of reality is temporarily or persistently altered. Affected individuals may have difficulty distinguishing between internal experiences and external reality.
Schizophrenia is one of the most well-known forms of psychotic disorders. It typically follows an episodic course, with acute psychotic phases as well as more stable intervals.
Importantly, psychoses are treatable. Early diagnosis and therapy significantly improve the prognosis.
Symptoms
Symptoms are often divided into positive and negative symptoms:
Positive symptoms (added experiences):
Delusions (e.g., persecutory or referential delusions)
Hallucinations (e.g., hearing voices)
Formal thought disorders
Disorganized behavior
Negative symptoms (reduced functions):
Lack of drive
Social withdrawal
Reduced emotional expression
Poverty of speech
In addition, concentration and memory problems may occur.
Types
Schizophrenia
Schizoaffective disorder
Acute and transient psychotic disorder
Delusional disorder
Substance-induced psychosis
Accurate differentiation is essential for treatment planning.
Causes
The development of psychotic disorders is multifactorial:
Genetic predisposition
Neurobiological changes (e.g., dopamine dysregulation)
Psychosocial stress factors
Substance use (e.g., cannabis)
Stress and sleep deprivation
Usually, several factors interact in combination.