How Are Psychotic Disorders Diagnosed & Treated?
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If symptoms are present, the doctor will perform a complete medical history and physical examination to determine the cause of the symptoms. Although there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose psychotic disorders -- except those that accompany a physical illness, such as a brain tumor -- the doctor may use various tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, to rule out physical illness as the cause of the symptoms.
If the doctor finds no physical reason for the symptoms, he or she may refer the person to a psychiatrist or psychologist, mental health professionals who are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. Psychiatrists use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate a person for a psychotic disorder.
Psychotic Disorders Treated?
Most psychotic disorders are treated with a combination of medications and psychotherapy (a type of counseling).
Medication:
The main medications used to treat psychotic disorders are called antpsychotics. These medicines do not cure the illnesses, but are very effective in managing the most troubling symptoms of psychotic disorders, such as delusions, hallucinations and thinking problems. Antipsychotics include older medications such as Haldol, Thorazine and Mellaril and newer medications such as Clozaril, Risperdal, Zyprexa, Seroquel and Geodon. The newer medications -- sometimes referred to as atypical antipsychotics -- are considered first-line treatments because they have fewer and more tolerable side effects.
Psychotherapy:
Various types of psychotherapy, including individual, group and family therapy, may be used to help support the person with a psychotic disorder.
Most patients with psychotic disorders are treated as outpatients. However, people with particularly severe symptoms, those in danger of hurting themselves or others, or those unable to care for themselves because of their illness may require hospitalization to stabilize their condition.
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