How does delusional disorder differ from schizophrenia

Skip to content Admissions Search for:. Understanding Delusional Disorder vs Schizophrenia Of all mental health disorders, schizophrenia is that which is most strongly associated with psychosis. Call For a Confidential Phone Assessment. Types of Delusions There is no single type of delusion experienced by all people with delusional disorder. These include: Erotomanic Type : People with erotomanic type delusions believe that they have a loving relationship with another person, typically someone of a higher status such as a celebrity.

Grandiose Type : Grandiose delusions involve a belief that the person has special worth, knowledge, ability power, or relationship with a high-status individual, such as a renowned public figure. Jealous Type : People who struggle with jealous delusions believe that their partner is unfaithful.

Persecutory Type : Persecutory delusions cause a person to believe that they or someone close to them is being threatened or mistreated. This is the most common type of delusion. Somatic Type : Somatic delusions involve a belief that a person has a physical health condition or defect. Mixed Type : Some people with delusional disorder may experience a combination of several types with no one predominant theme. Treatment Options for Delusional Disorder The nature of delusional disorder can present significant challenges for initiating treatment, as delusions are often private and not apparent to outside viewers, nor identified as the product of a psychiatric condition by the person struggling with the illness.

Treatment at BrightQuest BrightQuest offers comprehensive residential treatment for people struggling with mental health disorders such as delusional disorder and schizophrenia. Family Integration in Treatment Inclusive Therapeutic Community Focus on Lasting Behavioral Change We offer clients the tools, skills, and support necessary to attain greater stability and independence with the confidence and courage to live a healthy, happy, and productive life.

Previous Next. Get Help Today Email Us. Related Blogs. October 14, August 27, Learn More. Take the first step. We're here to help. Call for a free confidential assessment. We're here to listen. How Can We Help? Contact Us. Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, flat affect along with a mood disorder depression or mania.

A person who has schizoaffective disorder is likely to experience severe mood symptoms accounting for more than half of the total duration of illness. On the other hand, a person who has schizophrenia may also experience mood episodes, but the total duration of the mood symptoms is brief compared to the duration of the psychotic symptoms.

The psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia tend to be persistent, while in schizoaffective disorder, they tend to come and go. In terms of the course of the disease, most people who are diagnosed with schizophrenia have a chronic and persistent course of illness.

On the other hand, most people diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder experience episodes of symptoms but are more likely to have symptom-free intervals than people who have schizophrenia. This is not a hard and fast rule, however; in some people, the opposite is true. In schizophrenia, mood symptoms are not expected to occur without psychotic symptoms.

The psychotic symptoms are almost always present, but the mood symptoms come and go. In schizoaffective disorder, the psychotic symptoms may or may not be present during the times when a person is experiencing depression or mania.

The treatment of schizophrenia relies mostly on a special group of prescription medications called antipsychotics. These include older the older antipsychotic medications like Haldol haloperidol and Thorazine chlorpromazine , as well as newer medications including Risperdal risperidone , Zyprexa olanzapine , Geodon ziprasidone , Seroquel quetiapine , Saphris asenapine , or Latuda lurasidone.

The treatment for the psychotic symptoms of schizoaffective disorder also includes antipsychotics. Paliperidone invega , an "atypical" second-generation antipsychotic, is the only medication that has the FDA approved indication to treat schizoaffective disorder, although all of the other antipsychotic medications are commonly used.

For mood symptoms, people who have schizoaffective disorder are prescribed antidepressants if they have the depressive type and mood stabilizers, such as valproate or lithium, if they have the bipolar type. Living with schizoaffective disorder can be similar to living with schizophrenia, except that there is a prominent mood component with schizoaffective disorder. These two conditions are not the same as schizoid personality disorder or schizotypal disorder , which are personality disorders that also impact thinking and the ability to relate to others.

If you are worried that you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, please seek out help from a healthcare professional. While these disorders are serious and interfere substantially with daily life, they can be managed with proper treatment. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. The schizoaffective disorder diagnosis: A conundrum in the clinical setting.

Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. Kiran C, Chaudhury S. Understanding delusions. Ind Psychiatry J. National Institute of Mental Health. Updated February Trivedi JK. Cognitive deficits in psychiatric disorders: Current status.

Indian J Psychiatry. Schizoaffective Disorder. Updated June 30, Is schizoaffective disorder a distinct categorical diagnosis? A critical review of the literature. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. Information about Mental Illness and the Brain.

The difference between a delusion and a false or mistaken belief is that people continue to believe in a delusion no matter how much clear evidence contradicts it. Erotomanic: People believe that another person is in love with them. They often try to contact the object of the delusion through telephone calls, letters, or digital messages. Some attempt surveillance, and stalking is common. Behavior related to the delusion may be against the law.

Grandiose: People are convinced that they have some great talent or have made some important discovery. Jealous: People are convinced that a spouse or lover is unfaithful. This belief is based on incorrect inferences supported by dubious evidence. Under such circumstances, physical assault may be a significant danger. Persecutory: People believe that they are being plotted against, spied on, maligned, or harassed.

People may repeatedly file lawsuits or reports to the police or other government agencies. Rarely, people resort to violence in retaliation for imagined persecution.

Somatic: People are preoccupied with a bodily function or attribute, such as an imagined physical deformity or odor. The delusion can also take the form of an imagined medical disorder, such as having parasites. A delusional disorder may develop from a preexisting paranoid personality disorder Paranoid Personality Disorder Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of unwarranted distrust and suspicion of others that involves interpreting their motives as hostile or harmful.

Beginning in early adulthood, people with a paranoid personality disorder have a pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others and their motives. Behavior is not obviously bizarre or odd. People with delusional disorder tend to function relatively well, except when their delusions cause problems.

For example, they may have marital problems if they are incorrectly convinced their spouse is being unfaithful.