Psychotic Disorders Treatment Center In Atlanta, GA

What is a Psychotic Disorder?

Psychotic disorder is a term to explain a set of mental illnesses. Individuals with a psychotic disorder experience episodes of psychosis. That’s when they become disconnected from reality. Changes occur in thinking, emotions, and behavior. Perception is also affected, and distinguishing between reality and the tricks the mind plays is as well. 

While there isn’t a single cause of psychotic disorders, we understand that factors contribute. Those include genetics, environment, brain development, and traumatic experiences. 

Different changes that occur in the brain as children develop. Psychotic disorders are typically not diagnosed until late teens and early adulthood. 

Types of Psychotic Disorders

The most common chronic characteristic of psychotic disorders is having uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts. These are obsessions. Compulsions onset as well. These are when individuals feel the urge to repeat actions over and over. 

Hallucinations are also typical. This is when people think they see people, images, or events that aren’t there or never actually happened. 

When obsessions, compulsions, and hallucinations meet, they alter the way a person functions in their daily lives. Tasks we take for granted, such as going to work, school, or running to the store to pick up essential items, are mammoth tasks. 

Below are some of the common psychotic disorders and symptoms of each.

• Schizophrenia is the most well-known psychotic disorder. People with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims of violent crimes than the ones committing them. They often withdraw from social settings because of hallucinations, delusions, disorganizing thinking, and speech. Their impaired cognitive functioning makes them more likely to be accused of actions they didn’t do and marginalized by society.

• Schizoaffective Disorder occurs when schizophrenia meets a mood disorder. Mood disorders can include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. This combination can be debilitating for individuals.
• A Brief Psychotic Disorder is a temporary disconnect from reality. A person will suddenly act out of character. A current traumatic event or unexpected stressor turns on the short episode. Individuals experience delusions, hallucinations, or unusually erratic behavior. The period usually lasts around a month and can be treated with medication and group and family therapy with early intervention.
• Delusional Disorder tends to be less severe than other psychotic disorders. This is because some of the typical psychotic symptoms don’t arise. Instead, a person has delusions that can happen in their lives. The problem is that even though the events are possible, there is no evidence that they will happen.

• Psychotic Depression is linked to major depressive disorder, the most common type of depression. The symptoms include feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities once found enjoyable. Changes in eating habits. Disruptive sleep patterns and trouble concentrating, even on routine tasks. The typical symptoms of psychotic disorder are present as well. This is a complex combination for many individuals.
• Postpartum Psychosis is the rarest of psychotic disorders. It can occur after women give birth. When hallucinations, delusion, confusion, and mood changes occur, the possibility of harming oneself or the newborn requires medical supervision for women experiencing postpartum psychosis. 

Each psychotic disorder has specific criteria and guidelines for diagnosing them. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides a comprehensive overview. 

If you or someone you know has symptoms of psychotic disorder, it is essential to know treatment is possible. Individuals can learn to manage their symptoms and even keep them from recurring. 

Understanding the Facts about Psychotic Disorders

The National Institute of Mental Health explains that it is difficult to get an accurate account of the number of people with psychotic disorders. However, it is safe to say that between 15-100 people out of every 100,000 develop a psychotic disorder each year.

• Psychotic disorders are not uncommon. People with schizophrenia are not alone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 24 million people have the condition.
• While symptoms can peak in late teens up to early adulthood, psychotic symptoms can present in younger individuals. If you notice repeated patterns of common symptoms, a medical assessment should be administered to render a medical diagnosis.
• Not everyone responds with the same severity of symptoms for psychotic disorders. However, they can persist over time and become a pattern in a person’s life if left untreated.
• Psychotic disorders have a way of claiming a person’s life. The disorders can interfere with productive social relationships, self-care, work, and school if untreated.
• Psychotic disorders do not result from a person’s actions or thinking. A genetic predisposition to psychotic disorders tends to be the leading cause. Trauma and unexpected stressors follow as leading causes.
• Psychotic disorders tend to co-occur with other mental health conditions. These include depression, bipolar, anxiety, personality, and substance use disorders (SUD).

Why Treatment is Important for Psychotic Disorders

If you or someone you know might be experiencing a psychotic disorder or episode, there are specific signs you can look for. Personality disorders should not be taken lightly. The symptoms are essential to take note of and to watch for patterns. Without medical treatment, the individual could be in danger of harming themselves or engaging in risky behaviors. 

Below are some experiences a person has to endure with a psychotic disorder.

• Delusions: false beliefs not based in reality; believing others are plotting against their safety; thinking one possesses supernatural abilities; believing one has a terminal medical condition
• Hallucinations: hearing voices are sounds that aren’t there; seeing or feeling sensations that aren’t real; tasting or smelling things that no one else can
• Disordganizing Thinking and Speech: trouble organizing one’s thoughts; incoherent or confusing speech patterns; consistently straying off topic during a conversation
• Abnormal Behavior: atypical behavior for an individual’s usual personality; acts that go against social norms; inability to perform daily tasks; agitation, unresponsiveness; engaging in risky behaviors

Our Treatment Programs

Through proper medication and support, individuals with a psychotic disorder can manage their symptoms and reduce the negative impact that behaviors and emotions have on their lives.

Intensive Outpatient Program

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are a flexible treatment option without an inpatient stay. You get to maintain your daily routines while still addressing your illness. IOP aims to stabilize mood swings, manage symptoms, and improve functioning.

Partial Hospitalization Program

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) offers structured care during the day, allowing you to return home at night. It provides intensive treatment, including medication management and counseling, tailored to psychotic disorders. 

PHP closely watches symptoms, establishes routines, and builds a supportive community. Research shows that PHP significantly improves symptom management and overall quality of life for individuals with psychotic disorders. 

Outpatient Treatment Program (OP)

Our outpatient treatment program (OP) in Georgia is a professional treatment program offered with the most significant amount of freedom in mind. It is the ideal next step for those who have successfully navigated our IOP. Our outpatient program encompasses individual and group therapy with highly flexible times available. The purpose of outpatient programs is to provide some residual structure from our more intensive programs for clients who have learned the basic skills and habits that create the foundation of a healthy and sustained recovery.

Our Treatment Approaches

Treatment options include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), individual and group therapy, and other evidence-based therapeutic options for co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and drug addiction. 

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapies and counseling. This therapy can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, improve retention in treatment, and reduce the risk of relapse.

MAT can be safe and effective under the care of qualified professionals. MAT is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The specific type of medication used and the span of treatment varies depending on your particular needs.

Research has shown that MAT is successful in a total treatment program. Like other forms of treatment, MAT is most effective with other supportive services, such as therapy and lifestyle changes.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is another invaluable treatment service that CBT and DBT work with.  Your therapist leads this session in a safe and structured environment. This setting provides a sense of connection and support. No one speaks over or interrupts each other in the group.

You can learn from the experience of others and adopt new coping strategies. The group can introduce fresh perspectives. Forming bonds can make you feel less alone and more supported. You can hold each other accountable to stay motivated while navigating recovery.

Family Program

Our family program brings the entire family together. Your therapist leads the session with your loved ones. Family therapy intends to recognize the often complicated nature of family systems. This method can help individuals in recovery rebuild trust with their loved ones.

Family therapy benefits addiction treatment by improving communication, reducing stress, and setting healthy boundaries. This strengthens your coping skills. It also addresses underlying family dynamics that may add to these issues.

Relapse Prevention

Relapse prevention is a set of techniques our therapists use to prevent our clients from returning to destructive behaviors and thinking. The therapist assists the client with identifying triggers and exchanging them for positive behaviors. The goal for this component of a treatment plan is long-term recovery by preventing addictive behaviors. 

Holistic Therapy

Holistic therapy is an alternative treatment service that focuses on the whole person, not just specific addiction-related symptoms. Our therapists consider our clients’ physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being, allowing them to achieve balance and develop coping skills. Holistic therapy includes yoga, fitness, creativity, art, and meditation.