Types of psychosis

Psychosis is a symptom pattern that shows up in several different conditions.

Primary psychotic disorders

• Schizophrenia: symptoms lasting at least 6 months, with hallucinations, delusions, disorganised thinking and often reduced motivation and emotion
• Schizophreniform disorder: similar to schizophrenia, lasting 1 to 6 months
• Schizoaffective disorder: psychosis together with prolonged mood episodes
• Brief psychotic disorder: lasts less than a month, often after severe stress
• Delusional disorder: persistent delusions without other marked symptoms, and functioning is often preserved

Mood-related psychosis

• Bipolar disorder with psychotic features, during mania or depression
• Major depression with psychotic features

Psychosis linked to other causes

• Substance-induced psychosis: due to drugs or alcohol, or withdrawal
• Psychosis due to a medical condition: such as infection, brain disease, or thyroid illness