A psychotic disorder affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. A person with a psychotic disorder may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Although they may not be as common as other mental disorders, the symptoms can be very disabling. They make it hard for someone to think clearly and make good judgments. In addition, they make it hard to respond emotionally and communicate effectively. Finally, they cause difficulty understanding reality and behaving appropriately.
Consequently people with these disorders can have trouble staying in touch with reality. Often they are unable to handle daily life.
Symptoms may include:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Unusual ways of thinking
- Agitated body movements
- Decreased expression of emotions
- Reduced pleasure in everyday life
- Difficulty beginning and sustaining activities
- Reduced speaking
- Decreased ability to understand information and use it to make decisions
- Trouble focusing or paying attention
- Problems with using information immediately after learning it