Causes and Symptoms of Psychotic Disorders

Causes and symptoms of psychotic disorders depend on the type and severity of the condition. Psychotic disorders is a term to describe multiple types of mental health conditions that involve a phenomenon called psychosis. An impaired relationship with reality characterizes psychosis itself, often including confusion, hallucinations, and delusions.

What are the Causes of Psychotic Disorders?

1. Inherited traits. Mental illness is more common in people whose blood relatives also have a mental illness. Your life situation may trigger a mental illness, and certain genes can increase your risk of developing it.
2. Environmental exposures before birth. Mental illness is sometimes linked to environmental stressors, inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol, and drugs during pregnancy.
3. Brain chemistry. Brain chemicals called neurotransmitters transmit signals to other parts of the brain and body. Depression and other emotional disorders result from dysregulation of these chemicals’ neural networks.

Symptoms of Psychotic Disorders

• Feeling sad or down
• Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
• Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
• Withdrawal from friends and activities
• Significant tiredness, low energy, or problems sleeping
• Paranoia or hallucinations
• Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
• Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
• Problems with alcohol or drug use
• Major changes in eating habits
• Sex drive changes and suicidal thinking

Seek immediate help if you have suicidal thoughts. Most mental illnesses don’t improve on their own, and if untreated, a mental illness may get worse over time and cause serious problems.

How to Manage or Prevent Psychotic Disorders

• Pay attention to warning signs. Work with your doctor or therapist to learn what might trigger your symptoms. Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel.
• Get routine medical care. Avoid skipping checkups or skipping visits to your primary care provider when you’re sick. You may be experiencing side effects from medication or be experiencing a new health problem.
• Get help when you need it. When you wait until symptoms are severe, you may have more difficulty treating mental health conditions. Long-term maintenance treatment also may help prevent a relapse of symptoms.
• Take good care of yourself. Sufficient sleep, healthy eating, and regular physical activity are important. Try to maintain a regular schedule, and if you have any questions about diet or physical activity, speak to your primary care provider.

Chlorpromazine for Psychotic Disorders

Chlorpromazine is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders. It is also recommended by doctors to their patients to control agitation and mania in people who have bipolar disorder. It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain. It can reduce aggressive behavior and the desire to hurt yourself or others. It may also help to decrease hallucinations.