Profound Treatment offers medical detox and residential inpatient treatment to address substance abuse, mental health conditions, and co-occurring conditions. Through psychotic disorder treatment in our Los Angeles medical center, you can find effective treatments for holistic, whole-person healing.
Residential Psychotic Disorder Treatment Program
At Profound, our mental health professionals provide compassionate, medically appropriate care to address mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use. By using the most effective treatments, from holistic modalities to evidence-based interventions, we can help you or your loved one address the symptoms and challenges of psychotic disorders. With an individualized treatment plan, we ensure that each client’s treatment regimen is designed for lasting recovery.
Why Specialized Care for Psychosis Matters
Psychotic disorders are severe mental health conditions that often cause symptoms of psychosis, such as abnormal thinking and perceptions. Some of the most devastating psychotic symptoms include delusions and hallucinations, an inability to communicate with others logically, and cognitive impairment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks psychosis as the third-most disabling medical condition in the world. Recognizing the warning signs, understanding the different psychotic disorders, and early intervention are paramount to treatment and recovery from these medical conditions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks psychosis as the third-most disabling medical condition in the world. Recognizing the warning signs, understanding the different psychotic disorders, and early intervention are paramount to treatment and recovery from these medical conditions.
Psychotic symptoms are most often present in people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. However, psychotic symptoms can also be experienced by people with bipolar disorder and are often exacerbated by substance abuse.
The presence of psychotic symptoms and psychotic disorders can make you particularly fragile as you experience difficulty relating to the world around you. This fragility can hamper treatment and recovery without the support of an experienced healthcare provider.
The presence of psychotic symptoms and psychotic disorders can make you particularly fragile as you experience difficulty relating to the world around you. This fragility can hamper treatment and recovery without the support of an experienced healthcare provider.
Understanding the Importance of Early Intervention
Early symptoms or warning signs of psychosis typically start among young people in adolescence and young adulthood. Additionally, experiencing a first episode of psychosis within the last three to five years, depending on the psychotic disorder, or showing early warning signs, puts you at high risk of developing long-term psychosis. The risk of long-term or lifelong psychosis can be detrimental to your health and well-being.
Psychotic disorders like schizophrenia are often chronic and disabling to your social and occupational functioning. However, early intervention following a first episode of psychosis can result in greater healthcare outcomes, from improved symptom management to self-care and quality of life.
Some of the benefits of early intervention for a first psychotic episode include:
Psychotic disorders like schizophrenia are often chronic and disabling to your social and occupational functioning. However, early intervention following a first episode of psychosis can result in greater healthcare outcomes, from improved symptom management to self-care and quality of life.
Some of the benefits of early intervention for a first psychotic episode include:
- Reduced suffering and negative impact of psychotic symptoms
- Psychosocial skills to pursue academic, occupational, and social goals
- Decreased negative symptoms that can impact interpersonal relationships
- Reduced difficulties with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs)
The first three to five years of warning signs and psychotic symptoms are critical to the course of the disorder and your long-term prognosis.
Addressing Risk Factors and Warning Signs
There is no singular cause or specific set of conditions and circumstances that lead to the development of psychosis. However, there are several risk factors from genetics and environment to medical conditions and substance use that can contribute to the development of psychosis.
Genetics and Medical Conditions
Biological factors such as genetic mutations, a family history of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, and complications with brain development can contribute to the development of psychosis. For example, pregnancy complications such as malnutrition or infections can disrupt proper brain development for babies.
Other medical conditions, such as a brain injury in infancy, can also contribute to psychosis. However, medical conditions do not have to occur in early childhood or be directly related to a brain injury to contribute to psychosis.
Some of the other medical conditions that can contribute to the development of psychosis include:
Other medical conditions, such as a brain injury in infancy, can also contribute to psychosis. However, medical conditions do not have to occur in early childhood or be directly related to a brain injury to contribute to psychosis.
Some of the other medical conditions that can contribute to the development of psychosis include:
- Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia
- HIV and other infections in the brain or spinal cord
- Brain tumor or cyst
- Parkinson’s disease
Mental Health Conditions and Substance Use
Psychosis and psychotic disorders have a strong correlation with mental health conditions among schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and delusional disorder. Psychosis can also occur in mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder and depression.
Mental health disorders, like psychotic disorders, can also be induced by substance abuse, such as the misuse of stimulants like cocaine, and other substances like alcohol, LSD, and MDMA. Rare side effects from certain medications can also induce psychosis.
Mental health disorders, like psychotic disorders, can also be induced by substance abuse, such as the misuse of stimulants like cocaine, and other substances like alcohol, LSD, and MDMA. Rare side effects from certain medications can also induce psychosis.
Environmental and Life Stressors
Your life experiences and the environment you grew up in or live in are often overlooked as factors in the development of a wide range of medical conditions. The impact of environmental and life experiences on the development of a psychotic episode or psychotic symptoms can be seen across different traumas, self-care behavior, and other social factors. For example, a psychotic episode can be triggered by significant stressors like the death of a loved one.
Other traumatic experiences, whether in childhood or adulthood, like discrimination, abuse, social exclusion or isolation, poverty, and community violence, can also contribute to symptoms of psychosis. Additionally, whether as a result of trauma, stress, or other factors, sleep deprivation can trigger an episode of psychosis.
Other traumatic experiences, whether in childhood or adulthood, like discrimination, abuse, social exclusion or isolation, poverty, and community violence, can also contribute to symptoms of psychosis. Additionally, whether as a result of trauma, stress, or other factors, sleep deprivation can trigger an episode of psychosis.
Understanding Psychotic Disorders and Symptoms
Multiple psychotic disorders can lead to psychosis with varying symptoms.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations are false perceptions in which you see, hear, feel, smell, or taste something that does not exist outside of your mind. One of the most common types of hallucinations is auditory hallucinations, which include hearing voices that are not there.
Delusions
Delusions are firmly held false beliefs that you do not waver from, despite not being believed by others, and there being plenty of evidence that these are false beliefs. These delusions or false beliefs are typically not based on any form of reality, such as believing you have special powers or that devices are sending you secret messages.
Common Psychotic Symptoms
Psychosis itself is not a disorder, but rather a collection of symptoms that affect the mind. However, psychosis can also be a symptom of a psychotic disorder like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Much like other forms of mental illness, if you experience a psychotic episode or have a psychotic disorder, your symptoms and experiences will be unique to you. However, there are some common symptoms of psychosis, including hallucinations, delusions, and confused and disturbed thoughts.
Confused and Disturbed Thoughts
Experiencing confused and disturbed thoughts often reflects disorganized thinking that impedes your ability to communicate and function. Some of the symptoms of disorganized thoughts in psychosis include difficulty expressing yourself, losing your train of thought, jumping from one topic to another mid-sentence, and constant or rapid speech.
Addressing Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, and the Schizophrenia Spectrum
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders highlights both the overlap and distinctive differences in disorders along the schizophrenia spectrum.
Schizophrenia
The psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, is a mental health disorder that impacts your perception of reality and impedes your ability to communicate. Symptoms of psychosis are a part of schizophrenia, which includes hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thoughts.
Schizoaffective Disorder
On the other hand, schizoaffective disorder includes symptoms of schizophrenia and a mood disorder, such as depression or bipolar disorder. Thus, the schizo part of schizoaffective disorder can include symptoms of psychosis, like false beliefs and hallucinations. In contrast, the affective part of the disorder is broken into two distinctive types based on the involved mood disorder.
Bipolar type can include both manic episodes and depressive episodes. These manic and depressive episodes are reflected as extreme highs and lows, from increased energy with irritability to low energy with sadness. On the other hand, the depressive type only includes only depressive episodes, which presents not only as low energy, but as hopelessness and an inability to complete routine tasks.
Bipolar type can include both manic episodes and depressive episodes. These manic and depressive episodes are reflected as extreme highs and lows, from increased energy with irritability to low energy with sadness. On the other hand, the depressive type only includes only depressive episodes, which presents not only as low energy, but as hopelessness and an inability to complete routine tasks.
The Schizophrenia Spectrum
The schizophrenia spectrum refers to a group of psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, that share some symptoms of psychosis. Some other psychotic disorders under the schizophrenia spectrum include schizophreniform and delusional disorder.
Episodes of Psychosis: First Episode, Recurrence, and Triggers
Understanding the warning signs of psychosis, recurrence, and potential triggers is invaluable to helping you or your loved one receive support services for physical and psychological safety.
First Episode and Episode of Psychosis
Many people think of psychosis as a complete break from reality. However, a first episode does not happen out of the blue, and although it can be difficult to recognize, there are some warning signs.
Some early warning signs of a first episode or the onset of an episode of psychosis include:
Some early warning signs of a first episode or the onset of an episode of psychosis include:
- Feeling paranoid, suspicious, or uneasy with others
- Difficulty thinking clearly or concentrating
- A decline in self-care or personal hygiene
- Spending more time alone or withdrawing from family members
- A sudden drop in grades or job performance
Recurrence
It is important to note that while early intervention is vital to symptom reduction, improved quality of life, and remission, the risk of relapse or recurrence is still high. Recurrence in early psychosis can make recovery from an episode of psychosis more difficult. In addition, relapse can also impede your quality of life due to hospitalization, disruption to your work or education, hinder goals, and strain relationships.
Triggers
Known triggers for an episode of psychosis can include severe stress and trauma, such as job loss or racism, a lack of sleep, and withdrawal from substance use. Despite the risk and challenges of recurrence, early intervention supports consistent psychotic disorder treatment, which in turn supports the management of triggers for longer periods of remission. Recognizing your own or your loved one’s triggers is also invaluable to supporting recovery.
Our Inpatient Mental Health Center Environment
Profound Treatment offers a safe, supportive, and structured setting where you can heal and build tools to thrive post-treatment. With the comfort of a private and inclusive treatment plan at our medical center, each client is given the space, support, and guidance to address their unique needs and experience. Through our holistic, evidence-based approach to psychotic disorder treatment, you have access to a wide range of support services to build a personalized treatment plan.
Some of the key features of our psychotic disorder treatment program include:
Some of the key features of our psychotic disorder treatment program include:
- Access to healthcare provider support services
- 24/7 medical monitoring for the treatment and management of psychotic symptoms
- Medication management for psychotic symptoms
- Individual psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Support groups, peer support, and family support
Key Features of Our Psychotic Disorder Program
Profound Treatment’s psychotic disorder program uses an evidence-based approach that helps clients find lasting symptom management.
Talk Therapy for Psychosis
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is incredibly beneficial to the management and reduction of psychotic symptoms. Talk therapy is a great support tool to help you better understand the cause of your psychosis and recognize potential triggers.
Self-understanding is an important step in treatment as it supports greater self-awareness to manage symptoms and reduce recurrence. Some of the other benefits of psychotherapy include building more effective coping skills, access to a safe and private space to express your feelings, and supportive guidance from trusted mental health professionals.
Self-understanding is an important step in treatment as it supports greater self-awareness to manage symptoms and reduce recurrence. Some of the other benefits of psychotherapy include building more effective coping skills, access to a safe and private space to express your feelings, and supportive guidance from trusted mental health professionals.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Psychosis
CBT for psychosis adds another level of care and support for symptom management and is especially instrumental in early intervention. This therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy that focuses on the interconnection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
A focus on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors supports the development of skills to identify and address the unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns that impede your well-being. CBT for psychosis focuses on helping you reduce symptoms of psychosis related distress and improve functioning in your daily life. Additionally, CBT for psychosis is a part of effective treatments for the prevention or delay of full psychosis during early interventions for those at risk of developing psychosis.
A focus on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors supports the development of skills to identify and address the unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns that impede your well-being. CBT for psychosis focuses on helping you reduce symptoms of psychosis related distress and improve functioning in your daily life. Additionally, CBT for psychosis is a part of effective treatments for the prevention or delay of full psychosis during early interventions for those at risk of developing psychosis.
Managing Co-Occurring Conditions and Substance Use
Many people experience psychotic disorders that co-occur with substance use disorder (SUD). Profound Treatment has the tools necessary for a true dual diagnosis approach to treatment.
Treating Psychotic Disorders Alongside Substance Use and Addiction
Profound’s holistic, evidence-based approach to care means we offer dual diagnosis treatment to address co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. Our premier treatment center for dual diagnosis in Los Angeles offers upscale comfort and a comprehensive treatment approach for whole-person healing. During your psychotic disorder treatment, you will have integrated care from expert mental health professionals, inpatient medical detox, and a tailored residential treatment plan in a luxurious, safe, and supportive oasis.
Medication-Assisted Treatment and Antipsychotic Drug Management
Whether you need primary mental health treatment or dual diagnosis treatment, our comprehensive program provides medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and medication management for antipsychotic medicines.
MAT is often utilized in medical detox to provide medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone to manage withdrawal symptoms and decrease cravings for abused substances such as opioids. Medication management with antipsychotic drugs is also utilized to address both positive and negative symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions and diminished emotional expression.
Typically, first-generation and second-generation antipsychotic drugs are used in the treatment of psychotic disorders. First-generation antipsychotic medicines or typical antipsychotics are dopamine receptor antagonists, which means they prevent dopamine from binding to receptors in the brain. Typical antipsychotic drugs are effective since psychosis is linked to excessive or overactive dopamine pathways in the nervous system.
Second-generation antipsychotic drugs, or atypical antipsychotics, are serotonin-dopamine antagonists, which means they block both serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain. Atypical antipsychotic drugs are effective for addressing positive and negative symptoms of psychosis.
MAT is often utilized in medical detox to provide medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone to manage withdrawal symptoms and decrease cravings for abused substances such as opioids. Medication management with antipsychotic drugs is also utilized to address both positive and negative symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions and diminished emotional expression.
Typically, first-generation and second-generation antipsychotic drugs are used in the treatment of psychotic disorders. First-generation antipsychotic medicines or typical antipsychotics are dopamine receptor antagonists, which means they prevent dopamine from binding to receptors in the brain. Typical antipsychotic drugs are effective since psychosis is linked to excessive or overactive dopamine pathways in the nervous system.
Second-generation antipsychotic drugs, or atypical antipsychotics, are serotonin-dopamine antagonists, which means they block both serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain. Atypical antipsychotic drugs are effective for addressing positive and negative symptoms of psychosis.
Planning for Life After Residential Care
Profound Treatment is dedicated to whole-person healing, which means investing in the continuum of care, including inpatient detox and psychotic disorder treatment. Our commitment to continuing care includes aftercare planning with referrals to trusted healthcare provider partners. Referrals can range from support entering an outpatient program or sober living home to primary care and mental health professionals. Aftercare with Profound Treatment also means you and your family members and other loved ones can access alumni services, including peer support groups, family support groups, and relapse prevention programming.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychotic Disorder Treatment in Los Angeles
Are antipsychotic medications used and monitored for side effects?
Yes, our experienced mental health professionals tailor antipsychotic medicines to each client and monitor for side effects and symptom reduction.
Are support groups available for clients and family members?
Do you address substance abuse alongside psychotic disorders?
Do you coordinate care with healthcare providers and social workers?