Psychotic Disorders at Grace Health Services, VA and Washington D.C,
Psychotic disorders represent a spectrum of mental health conditions characterized by a disconnect from reality. This group of disorders includes schizophrenia, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and others. Individuals with psychotic disorders often experience hallucinations (like hearing voices) and delusions (strongly held false beliefs), impacting their ability to discern reality.
Psychotic disorders encompass a range of mental health conditions that significantly affect an individual's perception of reality. Key features include hallucinations (perceiving things that aren't present) and delusions (strongly held false beliefs).
These disorders often impact thought processes and emotional responsiveness, leading to challenges in discerning what is real. While the exact cause is multifactorial, involving genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors, psychotic disorders typically manifest in early adulthood but can occur at any age.
Understanding Psychotic Disorders
Symptoms Of Substance Abuse
The main ones are hallucinations, delusions, and disordered forms of thinking.
Hallucinations
means seeing, hearing, or feeling things that don’t exist. For instance, someone might see things that aren't there, hear voices, smell odors, have a "funny" taste in their mouth, or feel sensations on their skin even though nothing is touching their body.
Delusions
are false beliefs that don’t go away even after they've been shown to be false. For example, a person who is certain their food is poisoned, even if someone has shown them that the food is fine, has a delusion.
Other possible symptoms of psychotic illnesses include:
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Disorganized or incoherent speech
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Confused thinking
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Strange, possibly dangerous behavior
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Slowed or unusual movements
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Loss of interest in personal hygiene
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Loss of interest in activities
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Problems at school or work and with relationships
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Cold, detached manner with the inability to express emotion
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Mood swings or other mood symptoms, such as depression or mania
People don’t always have the same symptoms, and they can change over time in the same person.
Prevention and Management
While it's challenging to predict psychosis, avoiding triggers like heavy marijuana use and head injuries, maintaining a balanced diet, and addressing infections promptly can reduce the risk.
Risk Factors for Psychotic Disorders
Several factors increase the risk of developing psychotic disorders:
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Genetic Predisposition: A family history of psychotic disorders or other mental health conditions can elevate the risk.
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Brain Chemistry and Structure: Abnormalities in brain structure or neurotransmitter imbalances, particularly involving dopamine, can contribute to psychosis.
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Stress and Trauma: Exposure to significant stressors, traumatic experiences, or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can trigger psychotic symptoms.
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Substance Use: Abuse of substances like alcohol or drugs can induce or exacerbate psychotic symptoms.
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Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, including neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease, hormonal imbalances, and brain infections, can lead to psychosis.
Psychiatry Practices
For managing Psychotic Disorders, it's often advisable to combine medication with psychiatric evaluations. Our team ensures a personalized treatment strategy aligning with your unique symptoms and requirements. Continuous monitoring of your progress and symptoms is an integral part of this treatment, allowing us to fine-tune medication doses and frequency for optimal results.
Therapies
Also known as Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy), talk therapy is an effective option for a number of different symptoms and conditions, including Psychotic Disorders. Talk therapy can take many different forms, so you and your therapist can work to find the best option for your specific situation, condition, and symptoms. Talk therapy can be used in combination with medication and other forms of treatment, if needed.
Treatments for Psychotic Disorders
Let’s get you the care you deserve!
Our certified providers at Grace Health Services in VA & D.C. are dedicated to understanding and treating a variety of mental health challenges. Drawing from both modern research and years of hands-on experience, we aim to provide nothing but the finest care from the moment of diagnosis.