Psychotic disorders can affect your ability to perceive reality. People who suffer from psychotic disorders may lose their grasp on reality. They experience hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that aren’t there) and delusions (believing things that aren’t true). The most common psychotic disorder is schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a brain disorder marked by significant disruption in both thoughts and emotions. It can have an impact on basic life functions. It can affect your language and communication, train of thought, and your perception of yourself and the world around you. The most common symptoms of schizophrenia include:
Hallucinations
Delusions
Social withdrawal
Incoherent speech
Abnormal reasoning
People with other types of mental and physical health conditions — including mood disorders, dementia, substance use disorders, and brain tumors — also may suffer from these symptoms. It is important to see a mental health care professional for an evaluation and diagnosis.