Psychotic disorders are severe, chronic, and disabling brain diseases that affect both men and women with equal frequency. They often cause individuals to become fearful and withdrawn, and they may appear bizarre or frightening to other people. For individuals with a psychotic disorder, an independent lifestyle can be problematic, and relationships with family and loved ones are difficult. People with psychotic disorders usually cannot maintain employment and often end up on the fringes of society due to their behavior.

Symptoms of psychotic disorders include:

• Hallucinations and illusions
• Disorganized speech
• Delusions, or false, irrational beliefs
• Disordered thinking
• Disorganized or catatonic (statue-like) behavior
• Limited emotional expression, i.e. flat or blunt facial expression

Schizophrenia is a type of psychotic disorder that may be categorized into subtypes, such as paranoid, disorganized, or catatonic. Individuals with paranoid schizophrenia will display a strong preoccupation with delusions or hallucinations. Disorganized schizophrenia is noted by the prominence of disorganized speech and behavior, while catatonic schizophrenia features symptoms such as immobility, physical rigidity, or bizarre movements.

Currently, available treatments can relieve many symptoms; however, most people with psychotic disorders continue to suffer some symptoms throughout their lives.

Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, represent a serious mental health diagnosis for the individual. The barriers created by psychoses will affect all aspects of a person's life. Many treatment programs focus on brief, crisis-orient approaches. The Brookhaven program offers treatment resources and coping behaviors for the individual with a psychotic disorder throughout all phases of their illness.

Brookhaven helps individuals by optimizing their choices, cultivating their well-being, and equipping them with the tools they need to lead productive lives. Recent outcome studies reveal that over 92% of our patients felt that their treatment at Brookhaven enabled them to deal with future mental health problems.

If you or someone you know has a psychotic disorder, contact Brookhaven Hospital at 1-888-298-HOPE (4673) or email us at wecanhelp@brookhavenhospital.comWe can help!