What Is the Difference Between Psychosis and Schizophrenia?

Psychosis is a symptom, describing experiencing the world in a different way. On the other hand, schizophrenia is a serious, long-term mental illness with five types.

Both psychosis and schizophrenia greatly affect mental health and well-being, causing a break from reality and altering perception. These symptoms impact thinking, mood, and behavior.

Both conditions influence how you engage with and perceive the world.

What is psychosis?

Psychosis is a medical term for experiencing the world differently. It involves seeing, hearing, or believing things that others don’t. Other terms for psychosis include a break from reality, psychotic symptoms, psychotic episode, and psychotic experience.

Psychosis is a symptom, not a mental illness. Around 3% of people have a psychotic episode in their lifetime. Those who have experienced it find it confusing and challenging to distinguish reality.

What is schizophrenia?

While psychosis is a symptom, schizophrenia is a serious, long-term mental illness. Less than 1% of adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with schizophrenia, categorized as a type of psychosis or psychotic disorder.

Schizophrenia has five different types: catatonic schizophrenia, paranoid schizophrenia, residual schizophrenia, disorganized/hebephrenic schizophrenia, and undifferentiated schizophrenia.

Symptoms can change over time, and doctors may categorize them into three schizophrenic spectrum disorders: schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder.

What are symptoms and signs of psychosis vs. schizophrenia?

The feelings associated with psychosis and schizophrenia are similar, ranging in severity.

Symptoms of psychosis

Hallucinations and delusions are the main symptoms of psychosis. Hallucinations involve seeing, hearing, or experiencing things that only exist in your mind. Delusions are strong beliefs outside the norm and most likely untrue. Common delusions include believing in special powers, conspiracies, or mind control.

These symptoms significantly impact behavior and cause stress. Experiencing them suggests a psychotic episode.

Symptoms of schizophrenia

Symptoms of schizophrenia usually start developing in late teens or early 20s for men and late 20s or early 30s for women. They include hallucinations, delusions, and negative symptoms that affect behavior, personality, and personal hygiene. People with schizophrenia may also exhibit muddled and confused thoughts.

It’s important to note that schizophrenia does not cause violence or a split personality.

What are the causes of psychosis vs. schizophrenia?

Psychosis and schizophrenia have different causes. Research is ongoing to determine exact causes.

Causes of psychosis

Psychotic episodes may result from psychological conditions (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe stress and anxiety, trauma, depression), medical conditions, or substance misuse.

Drug and alcohol abuse, including withdrawal, can trigger psychosis. Substances like cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine, ketamine, amphetamine, MDMA, and cannabis can cause a psychotic episode.

Causes of schizophrenia

The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but it’s believed to involve a combination of genetics, environmental factors (e.g., complications at birth), brain structure differences, and certain brain chemicals.

How to diagnose psychosis vs. schizophrenia

Psychosis is a symptom, not an illness. To diagnose its cause, doctors perform a physical exam, assess family history, and may order further testing to identify medical causes. If a mental illness is suspected, a mental health professional provides treatment.

Diagnosing schizophrenia is challenging since there is no single test. Symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, negative symptoms, and disorganized speech and behavior may lead to a diagnosis.

Early identification and treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia yield better outcomes.

Treatments of psychosis vs. schizophrenia

Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) is the most successful approach for treating psychotic episodes. It involves a team of mental health professionals creating a personalized treatment plan that combines therapy and medication.

Treatment for psychosis includes psychotherapy and antipsychotic medications to reduce symptoms and episodes.

Schizophrenia treatment involves a tailored plan of therapy, medication, healthy eating, and exercise. While there is no cure, a team of healthcare professionals helps manage symptoms and improve daily life.

References:

Rethink Mental Illness: "What is psychosis?"

National Alliance on Mental Illness: "Psychosis."

National Alliance on Mental Illness: "Schizophrenia."

National Health Service: "Schizophrenia."

National Health Service: "Psychosis."

HopeWay: "Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders."