Thought-related disorders
Thought disorders affect one's behavior, thinking, feelings and functioning. Distortion of reality, misperceptions, delusions, hallucinations, mood changes and unusual behaviors may all be characteristics. Because the symptoms reflect a loss of contact with reality, the disorders are sometimes called psychotic disorders.
A fact sheet in PDF format detailing symptoms, causes, and treatment for each of these disorders is available.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is the most common thought disorder. It is not a "split personality" or a "multiple personality."
Symptoms of schizophrenia fall into four categories:
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Psychotic symptoms
(also called positive symptoms)
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Hallucinations
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False perceptions
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False beliefs
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Bizarre behavior
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Disordered speech
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Delusions
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Negative symptoms
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Cognitive symptoms
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Problems with attention, psychomotor speed
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Slower processing of information, memory, planning and organizing
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Mood
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| Download a fact sheet about schizophrenia (PDF) |
Schizoaffective disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is quite similar to schizophrenia, and is usually long-term.
People with either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder can have symptoms of depression, mania, or both types of symptoms. However, people with schizoaffective disorder tend to have more severe depressive or manic symptoms. This means that the symptoms occur more often and last for longer periods of time.
Depressive symptoms
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Feeling restless or sluggish
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Feeling worthless or guilty
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Difficulty concentrating
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Irritability
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Thoughts about death or suicide
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Manic symptoms
Other common co-occurring disorders are mood-related disorders and anxiety-related disorders.
