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[](https://www.nih.gov/ "National Institutes of Health") [National Library of Medicine](https://www.nlm.nih.gov/) [](https://medlineplus.gov/) Menu - [Health Topics](https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html) - [Drugs & Supplements](https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html) - [Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/) - [Medical Tests](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/) - [Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html) - [About MedlinePlus](https://medlineplus.gov/about/) Search - [About MedlinePlus](https://medlineplus.gov/about/) - [What's New](https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/) - [Site Map](https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html) - [Customer Support](https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=https%3A//medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html) - [Health Topics](https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html) - [Drugs & Supplements](https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html) - [Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/) - [Medical Tests](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/) - [Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html) [Español](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/psychoticdisorders.html "Español") You Are Here: [Home](https://medlineplus.gov/) → [Health Topics](https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html) → Psychotic Disorders URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html # Psychotic Disorders Also called: Psychoses On this page ### Basics - [Summary](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#summary "Go to: Summary") - [Start Here](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#cat_51 "Go to: Start Here") - [Diagnosis and Tests](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#cat_92 "Go to: Diagnosis and Tests") - [Treatments and Therapies](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#cat_78 "Go to: Treatments and Therapies") ### Learn More - [Living With](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#cat_77 "Go to: Living With") - [Related Issues](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#cat_47 "Go to: Related Issues") - [Specifics](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#cat_42 "Go to: Specifics") - [Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#cat_46 "Go to: Genetics") ### See, Play and Learn - No links available ### Research - [Clinical Trials](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#cat_27 "Go to: Clinical Trials") - [Journal Articles](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#cat_59 "Go to: Journal Articles") ### Resources - [Find an Expert](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#cat_83 "Go to: Find an Expert") ### For You - [Children](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#cat_8 "Go to: Children") - [Patient Handouts](https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html#cat_69 "Go to: Patient Handouts") ## Summary Psychotic disorders are severe mental disorders that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions. People with psychoses lose touch with reality. Two of the main symptoms are delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are false beliefs, such as thinking that someone is plotting against you or that the TV is sending you secret messages. Hallucinations are false perceptions, such as hearing, seeing, or feeling something that is not there. [Schizophrenia](https://medlineplus.gov/schizophrenia.html) is one type of psychotic disorder. People with [bipolar disorder](https://medlineplus.gov/bipolardisorder.html) may also have psychotic symptoms. Other problems that can cause psychosis include alcohol and some drugs, brain tumors, brain infections, and stroke. Treatment depends on the cause of the psychosis. It might involve drugs to control symptoms and talk therapy. Hospitalization is an option for serious cases where a person might be dangerous to himself or others. ## Start Here - [Psychosis](https://www.nami.org/types-of-conditions/psychosis/) (NAMI) - [Understanding Psychosis](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/understanding-psychosis)  (National Institute of Mental Health) Also in [Spanish](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/espanol/como-comprender-que-es-la-psicosis) ## Diagnosis and Tests - [Mental Health Screening](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/mental-health-screening/)  (National Library of Medicine) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/evaluacion-de-salud-mental/) ## Treatments and Therapies - [Brain Stimulation Therapies](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/brain-stimulation-therapies/brain-stimulation-therapies)   (National Institute of Mental Health) - [Mental Health Medications](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications)  (National Institute of Mental Health) - [Psychotherapies](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies)  (National Institute of Mental Health) - [What Is Psychiatry?](https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-psychiatry)  (American Psychiatric Association) ## Living With - [Drug-Induced Movement-Disorders](https://aapp.org/resource/patients/movement-disorders) (American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists) - PDF - [Metabolic Side Effects of Psychiatric Medications](https://aapp.org/resource/patients/weight) (American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists) - PDF ## Related Issues - [Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome](https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7195/neuroleptic-malignant-syndrome)  (Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center) ## Specifics - [Perinatal/Postpartum Psychosis Help](https://postpartum.net/get-help/postpartum-psychosis-help/) (Postpartum Support International) - [Schizoaffective Disorder](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizoaffective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354504?p=1) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in [Spanish](https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/schizoaffective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354504?p=1) - [Schizophrenia: MedlinePlus Health Topic](https://medlineplus.gov/schizophrenia.html)  (National Library of Medicine) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/schizophrenia.html) - [Substance- or Medication-Induced Psychotic Disorder](https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/mental-health-disorders/schizophrenia-and-related-disorders/substance-or-medication-induced-psychotic-disorder) (Merck & Co., Inc.) Also in [Spanish](https://www.msdmanuals.com/es/hogar/trastornos-de-la-salud-mental/esquizofrenia-y-trastornos-relacionados/trastornos-psic%C3%B3ticos-inducidos-por-sustancias-o-medicamentos) ## Genetics - [Schizoaffective disorder: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/schizoaffective-disorder)  (National Library of Medicine) ## Clinical Trials - [ClinicalTrials.gov: Psychotic Disorders](https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=%22Psychotic+Disorders%22&aggFilters=status:not%20rec)  (National Institutes of Health) ## Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine) - [Article: Autonomy Support from Healthcare Professionals Improves Functioning in Early Psychosis Through...](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41863373) - [Article: Symptom Network Dynamics during Antipsychotic Treatment in First-Episode Psychosis.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41863366) - [Article: Immediate Psychological Responses to Aerobic and Resistance Exercise in People With...](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41863360) - [Psychotic Disorders -- see more articles](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Psychotic+Disorders%22%5Bmajr%3Anoexp%5D+AND+humans%5Bmh%5D+AND+english%5Bla%5D+AND+%22last+1+Year%22+%5Bedat%5D+AND+%28patient+education+handout%5Bpt%5D+OR+guideline%5Bpt%5D+OR+clinical+trial%5Bpt%5D%29++NOT+%28letter%5Bpt%5D+OR+case+reports%5Bpt%5D+OR+editorial%5Bpt%5D+OR+comment%5Bpt%5D%29+AND+free+full+text%5Bsb%5D+) ## Find an Expert - [American Psychiatric Association](https://www.psychiatry.org/) - [FindTreatment.gov](https://findtreatment.gov/) (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Also in [Spanish](https://findtreatment.gov/es) - [NAMI](https://www.nami.org/) - [National Institute of Mental Health](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/)  Also in [Spanish](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/espanol) ## Children - [Hearing Voices and Seeing Things](https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Hearing-Voices-and-Seeing-Things-102.aspx) (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) ## Patient Handouts - [Brief psychotic disorder](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001529.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/001529.htm) - [Hallucinations](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003258.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/003258.htm) - [Major depression with psychotic features](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000933.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000933.htm) - [Mental status testing](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003326.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/003326.htm) - [Psychosis](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001553.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/001553.htm) - [Schizoaffective disorder](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000930.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000930.htm) ## Topic Image  ## MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA - [Brief psychotic disorder](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001529.htm) - [Electroconvulsive therapy](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007474.htm) - [Hallucinations](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003258.htm) - [Major depression with psychotic features](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000933.htm) - [Mental status testing](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003326.htm) - [Psychosis](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001553.htm) - [Schizoaffective disorder](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000930.htm) ## Related Health Topics - [Mental Disorders](https://medlineplus.gov/mentaldisorders.html) - [Schizophrenia](https://medlineplus.gov/schizophrenia.html) ## National Institutes of Health The primary NIH organization for research on Psychotic Disorders is the [National Institute of Mental Health](http://www.nimh.nih.gov/) ## Disclaimers MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. 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On this page ### See, Play and Learn - No links available Summary Psychotic disorders are severe mental disorders that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions. People with psychoses lose touch with reality. Two of the main symptoms are delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are false beliefs, such as thinking that someone is plotting against you or that the TV is sending you secret messages. Hallucinations are false perceptions, such as hearing, seeing, or feeling something that is not there. [Schizophrenia](https://medlineplus.gov/schizophrenia.html) is one type of psychotic disorder. People with [bipolar disorder](https://medlineplus.gov/bipolardisorder.html) may also have psychotic symptoms. Other problems that can cause psychosis include alcohol and some drugs, brain tumors, brain infections, and stroke. Treatment depends on the cause of the psychosis. It might involve drugs to control symptoms and talk therapy. Hospitalization is an option for serious cases where a person might be dangerous to himself or others. - [Mental Health Screening](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/mental-health-screening/)  (National Library of Medicine) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/evaluacion-de-salud-mental/) - [Drug-Induced Movement-Disorders](https://aapp.org/resource/patients/movement-disorders) (American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists) - PDF - [Metabolic Side Effects of Psychiatric Medications](https://aapp.org/resource/patients/weight) (American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists) - PDF - [Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome](https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7195/neuroleptic-malignant-syndrome)  (Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center) - [Schizoaffective disorder: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/schizoaffective-disorder)  (National Library of Medicine) - [ClinicalTrials.gov: Psychotic Disorders](https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=%22Psychotic+Disorders%22&aggFilters=status:not%20rec)  (National Institutes of Health) - [Hearing Voices and Seeing Things](https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Hearing-Voices-and-Seeing-Things-102.aspx) (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) - [Brief psychotic disorder](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001529.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/001529.htm) - [Hallucinations](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003258.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/003258.htm) - [Major depression with psychotic features](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000933.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000933.htm) - [Mental status testing](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003326.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/003326.htm) - [Psychosis](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001553.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/001553.htm) - [Schizoaffective disorder](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000930.htm) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in [Spanish](https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000930.htm)