Understanding Psychotic Disorders: Types, Symptoms & Characteristics

There are four main types of psychotic reactions: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, and psychotic disorder not otherwise specified (NOS). Each disorder has its unique symptoms and characteristics.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that affects thinking, behavior, and emotion. Symptoms of schizophrenia may include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, impaired social functioning, and lack of motivation.

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental illness characterized by symptoms of both schizophrenia and a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder. Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder may include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, impaired social functioning, mood swings, and depression.

Delusional disorder is a mental illness characterized by one or more delusions that are firmly held despite evidence to the contrary. Delusions are fixed, false beliefs that a person holds despite evidence to the contrary. Symptoms of delusional disorder may include delusions of persecution, delusions of grandeur, delusions of reference, delusions of jealousy, and delusions of somatic sensations.

Psychotic disorder NOS is a category for psychotic disorders that do not meet the criteria for any specific psychotic disorder. Symptoms of psychotic disorder NOS may include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, impaired social functioning, and lack of motivation.