Antipsychotic Medications

What Is a Psychotic Condition?

A psychotic condition refers to any mental health disorder involving psychosis, which is a disconnection from reality. These conditions usually present symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and impaired insight.

Common examples include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, and brief psychotic disorder. There are also substance- or medication-induced psychotic disorders caused by drugs, medical treatments, or medical conditions like brain injury or dementia. In the United States, about 8.5 million adults—3.4% of the adult population—have a psychotic disorder. This figure is based on the number of prescribed antipsychotic medications used to treat these and similar conditions. 

Types of Psychoses

Psychotic disorders are conditions that involve a loss of contact with reality, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and psychotic depression. Symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and impaired insight mark these disorders. Common types of psychoses include:

• Schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
• Bipolar disorder is considered a psychosis during manic or mixed episodes.
• Major depressive disorder with psychotic features may require antipsychotic support to manage delusions or severe distortions in thinking. 
• Schizoaffective disorder combines symptoms of mood disorders and psychosis. 
• Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders can be treated to reduce motor and vocal tics.  
• Dementia-related psychosis can occur in patients with dementia. 

Symptoms of Psychoses

Symptoms of a psychosis vary from person to person and depending on the condition. Common symptoms include:

• Delusions, which are fixed false beliefs 
• Hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t there 
• Disorganized thinking or speech, where thoughts may jump topics or become incoherent  
• Disorganized or catatonic behavior
• Unpredictable agitation to unresponsiveness 
• Negativity, reduced emotion, lack of motivation, social withdrawal, and incoherent speech. 
• Physical aches caused by stressful feelings  
• Depression 

Therapy Treatments for Psychosis at Washington Nutrition & Counseling Group

Psychological treatment for psychosis can help relieve symptoms. Several therapy approaches are used alongside antipsychotic medications to support mental health recovery and improve daily functioning. 

Treatment options include: 
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals reframe distorted thoughts, manage delusions or paranoia, and build effective coping strategies. 

 Supportive psychotherapy provides emotional stability, fosters trust in the therapeutic relationship, and encourages medication adherence. 

 Psychoeducation empowers both individuals and families by offering clear, practical information about the condition, treatment options, and warning signs of relapse. 

Family therapy enhances communication, reduces conflict, and strengthens the support system within the household. 

Social skills training targets functional goals, helping individuals develop interpersonal effectiveness and daily life competence. 

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) delivers coordinated, team-based care for people with severe mental illness, offering comprehensive and individualized support in community settings. 
 
Lifestyle and Self-Management support incorporates education on sheep hygiene, nutrition, exercise, stress management, and healthy routines for overall wellness. It offers emotional support, validation, and guidance to help individuals cope with stress and symptoms.  

What Causes Psychosis

Conditions that may require antipsychotic treatment—such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychotic depression—often arise from a combination of contributing factors. 

Biological factors include abnormalities in brain structure or function, particularly in areas related to dopamine regulation and sensory processing. 

Genetic influences play a strong role, as individuals with a family history of psychotic disorders are at significantly higher risk. 

Psychological factors, such as early trauma, chronic stress, or maladaptive coping mechanisms, can increase vulnerability to psychosis. 

Environmental contributors like prenatal exposure to toxins, substance use, or social adversity (e.g., isolation or abuse) may also trigger or exacerbate symptoms. 

Medical conditions such as brain tumors, epilepsy, or severe metabolic imbalances can sometimes lead to psychotic episodes, especially when they affect the central nervous system.