Name: Psychotic Disorders
Address: 3201 33rd Street South, Fargo, ND, 58104, US
Telephone: (701) 365-4488

Effective Treatment of Psychotic Disorders

At Saint Sophie's Psychiatric Center, we strive to provide the best possible patient care and to treat all of our patients with empathy and kindness. If you are seeking treatment for a possible psychotic disorder, or other mental health issue, we can help.

What are Psychotic Disorders?

Psychotic disorders cause people to experience hallucinations and delusions, a loss of connection to reality, and abnormal thinking. They severely impact a person's daily life and require treatment from mental health professionals.

What Are the Symptoms of Psychotic Disorders?

The main symptoms of psychotic disorders are delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are false beliefs that occur because of a person's altered sense of reality. Hallucinations cause a person to see, feel, taste, smell, or hear something that is not there. A person with a psychotic disorder may:

hear voices
feel as if something is touching them when nothing is there
experience an odd taste in their mouth
Speak incoherently
Move slowly
Lack interest in activities a person previously enjoyed
Struggle with school/work or in personal relationships
Have mood swings
Lack the ability to expressing emotions

What Are the Types of Psychotic Disorders?

Schizophrenia

This disorder can cause delusions, hallucinations, or both. This disorder persists for at least 6 months, and often has a profound impact on a person's daily life and relationships.

Schizoaffective Disorder

A person diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder displays symptoms of schizophrenia and those of a mood disorder, such as bipolar disorder or depression.

Short-Term Psychotic Disorders

Sometimes, a person is affected by a psychotic disorder for only a short time. Schizophreniform disorder occurs when a person displays symptoms of schizophrenia for less than 6 months. A person diagnosed with brief psychotic disorder experiences a short duration of psychotic symptoms (generally less than one month), which is often brought on by a stressful life event.

What Causes Psychotic Disorders?

The exact cause of psychotic disorders has not been determined yet. Psychiatrists have learned that some psychotic disorders seem to run in families, indicating that a genetic cause may be at work. Other factors that can contribute to the development of a psychotic disorder include substance abuse, stress, and major life events. Schizophrenia may occur when nerve cell receptors in the brain are unable to effectively use a chemical called glutamate.

Risk Factors for Psychotic Disorders

Since doctors do not know the exact causes of psychotic disorders, it is hard to say with certainty who is most likely to be diagnosed. However, we do know that having a close relative with a psychotic disorder makes a person more likely to develop one at some point in their life. Children born with a genetic condition known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome are at higher risk of developing schizophrenia.

How is a Person Diagnosed with A Psychotic Disorder?

There is no single test to determine if a person has a psychotic disorder. A psychiatric evaluation is necessary, in which a psychiatrist or psychiatric care provider will talk with a person and observe their behavior. Some medical tests may also be ordered.

How are Psychotic Disorders Treated?

Most people are treated with a mixture of medication and counseling. Medications called antipsychotics are often prescribed by psychiatrists to reduce patient's hallucinations and delusions. A person diagnosed with schizophrenia will likely need to remain on these medications for life. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another important component of treatment. This therapy focuses on behavioral health, and allows a patient the opportunity to examine their thoughts and behaviors with the help of a mental health professional.

What is the Outlook for a Person Diagnosed with A Psychotic Disorder?

Most people who are diagnosed with a psychotic disorder will respond to treatment and find improvement through medication and psychotherapy. If left untreated, however, psychotic disorders often have a profound negative impact on a person's life. It is very important to maintain regular contact with a psychiatrist for medication management and with a counselor for psychotherapy.

Why Choose Saint Sophie’s Psychiatric Center?

We take pride in our commitment to treat people of all ages who have a wide range of psychiatric illnesses with respect and dignity. If you are concerned that you, your partner, or your child may be dealing with a mental health issue, there are a variety of treatment options that our providers can explore with you or your family. Saint Sophie’s Psychiatric Center in Fargo, ND is passionate about providing the highest quality of care to patients in the form of medication management, psychotherapy (individual, couples, family), and computerized testing for ADHD. We are licensed to assist patients in North Dakota and Minnesota and offer telehealth. To set up an appointment, contact Saint Sophie’s Psychiatric Center by submitting a contact form or calling us at (701) 365-4488.

Saint Sophie’s Is For You.

Psychotic Disorders Treatment

Saint Sophie's Psychiatric Center

Fargo, North Dakota