What’s the Difference between Psychosis & Schizophrenia?

Understanding the differences between psychosis and schizophrenia is crucial in effective treatment and overall well-being.

Imagine a world where reality starts to unravel—voices speak to you, and what you once knew as real feels uncertain. This disorienting experience is a signal of a psychotic episode or psychosis, but when these symptoms persist and define a person’s life, it might point to schizophrenia. Distinguishing between these two is crucial, as it affects both treatment and long-term management. Below, we’ll explore the key differences and connections between psychosis and schizophrenia to better understand their impact and approach.

How to identify psychosis vs schizophrenia

Here are the main symptoms and causes of psychosis and schizophrenia: 

Understanding psychosis

Psychosis is a mental state characterized by a disconnection from reality, where people may experience severe disruptions in thoughts, perceptions, and emotions. It is a symptom rather than a mental health condition in itself and can arise from various underlying conditions or situations. 

Psychotic symptoms often include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Psychosis can be caused by a range of factors, including medical conditions (like a brain injury or infection), genetics (having a direct caregiver with psychosis or schizophrenia), substance abuse (commonly known as substance-induced psychotic disorder), certain mental health conditions (trauma, bipolar disorder, etc), and more. Psychosis can be acute or chronic, depending on the cause and treatment. 

Understanding schizophrenia 

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is characterized by a profound disconnection from reality, often involving hallucinations, delusions, and impaired behavioral health and cognitive function. Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic mental disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and classified as a psychotic disorder, not a personality disorder. Signs of developing schizophrenia typically emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood and require long-term management. 

Schizophrenia is characterized by a range of symptoms, including positive symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech; negative symptoms such as reduced emotional expression, lack of motivation, and social withdrawal; and cognitive symptoms, including impaired executive function, poor attention, and memory issues. The causes and risk factors for schizophrenia often involve a genetic predisposition, neurodevelopmental abnormalities, and environmental influences, such as prenatal exposure to stress or infection. It is a chronic condition that typically requires long-term management, with episodes of exacerbation and remission.

Differences between psychosis and schizophrenia

As mentioned, psychosis is a broad symptom involving a loss of touch with reality, while schizophrenia is a specific, chronic mental illness characterized by persistent psychosis along with other symptoms. Here are some key differences between psychosis and schizophrenia:

Scope

Psychosis is a symptom or sign that can occur in various mental health conditions, but it is not a disorder in itself. It may manifest in the context of different psychiatric or medical issues, often requiring further exploration to identify the underlying cause. In contrast, schizophrenia is a formal diagnosis with a distinct set of criteria. It encompasses a broader and more complex range of symptoms that define it as a specific mental health disorder recognized in clinical settings.

Duration

The duration of psychosis can vary widely depending on its cause. It can be a temporary or acute condition, often resolving with appropriate treatment or as the underlying issue is addressed. Schizophrenia, however, is a chronic condition that typically requires long-term management. Unlike acute psychosis, schizophrenia involves ongoing care and monitoring to manage symptoms and improve quality of life over time.

Symptoms

The symptoms of psychosis primarily include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. These symptoms are common across various conditions that may involve psychosis. Schizophrenia, however, not only includes these psychotic symptoms but also encompasses negative symptoms, such as a lack of motivation or reduced emotional expression, and cognitive impairments, including difficulties with attention, memory, and executive function. The combination of these symptoms differentiates schizophrenia from other conditions involving psychosis.

Diagnosis

Psychosis is identified through the presence of symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, but its diagnosis often necessitates further investigation to determine the underlying cause, whether it be psychiatric, medical, or substance-related. Schizophrenia, on the other hand, is diagnosed based on specific criteria outlined in diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-5 or ICD-10/ICD-11. The diagnosis involves completing a thorough assessment, often including a schizophrenia test and requires the persistence of symptoms over a significant period to confirm the disorder.

Differences between psychosis treatment and schizophrenia treatment 

In addition to differences in symptoms, scope, and diagnosis, psychosis and schizophrenia require different kinds of treatment. More on that below: 

Psychosis treatment

Treatment for psychosis primarily focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the symptoms. Acute treatment may involve the use of antipsychotic medications to quickly manage symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary to ensure the safety of the patient and to provide intensive care with the help of a mental health professional. Additionally, treatment often involves addressing specific underlying causes, such as detoxification and rehabilitation if substance use is the culprit or medical interventions if the psychosis is related to a medical or neurological condition. For psychosis triggered by trauma or stress, psychological support, and stress management are essential components of care. Supportive therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help patients manage symptoms and develop coping strategies. Social support is also critical, and engagement with community resources and support groups can provide ongoing assistance and a network of care.

Schizophrenia treatment

Schizophrenia requires a long-term, comprehensive treatment plan that includes both medical and therapeutic interventions. Antipsychotic medications, both typical and atypical, are central to managing the symptoms of schizophrenia, with long-acting injectable forms available to improve medication adherence. Psychotherapy is also a key component of treatment, with CBT helping patients manage delusions and hallucinations and family therapy providing support and education to family members. In addition to these core treatments, social and vocational support plays a significant role in helping patients lead fulfilling lives. Social skills training can improve interpersonal interactions and daily functioning, while vocational rehabilitation assists patients in finding and maintaining employment. Integrated care is crucial in schizophrenia treatment, involving case management to coordinate care across various services, as well as support services that provide access to housing, financial aid, and community resources. This holistic approach helps ensure that all aspects of the patient’s well-being are addressed.

How Charlie Health can help

If psychosis or schizophrenia is affecting your mental health, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides mental health treatment for people dealing with serious mental health conditions. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With this kind of holistic online therapy, managing your mental health is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.