Mental Illnesses That May Include Psychosis Understanding Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorder (Easy Read Format – For young people, families, parents, carers and support workers) more.

 

🧠 Is Psychosis Similar to Schizoaffective Disorder?

Yes, they are related — but not the same.

Schizophrenia

What is it?

Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition that mainly affects how a person thinks, feels, and understands reality.

Main Symptoms:

• Psychosis – seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations), or believing things that aren’t true (delusions)

• Disorganized thinking or speech

• Lack of emotions or motivation

• Withdrawing from others

What it feels like:

• Confused thoughts

• Hearing voices

• Feeling like people are watching or plotting against you

• Finding it hard to focus, talk clearly, or keep up with daily life

Treatment:

• Antipsychotic medication

• Talking therapy

• Support from family, doctors, and mental health teams

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2️⃣ Bipolar Disorder

What is it?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme changes in mood. A person can feel very “high” (manic) or very “low” (depressed).

Main Symptoms:

• Manic episodes:

  • Very happy, excited, full of energy

  • Talking fast, not sleeping, taking big risks

• Depressive episodes:

  • Feeling very low, tired, hopeless

  • Trouble eating, sleeping, or enjoying anything

Psychosis in Bipolar:

• Some people may have psychotic symptoms during very high or low moods.

  • For example, during mania: “I am a famous person.”

  • During depression: “Everyone hates me and I don’t deserve to live.”

Treatment:

• Mood stabilisers (like lithium)

• Antidepressants or antipsychotics

• Talking therapy

• A regular routine and support from mental health teams

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3️⃣ Schizoaffective Disorder

What is it?

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental illness that includes both:

• Symptoms of schizophrenia (like psychosis)

• Mood problems (like depression or mania)

It’s not just a mix, it’s its own condition.

Main Symptoms:

• Hallucinations or delusions (psychosis)

• Periods of mania or depression

• Trouble with thinking clearly or looking after oneself

What it feels like:

• A mix of being out of touch with reality and emotional ups and downs

• Feeling confused, scared, or overwhelmed

Treatment:

• Antipsychotic medication

• Mood stabilisers or antidepressants

• Therapy and support groups

• Help from family, friends, and mental health professionals

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🟣 What All Three Have in Common:

What they share	Explanation
Psychosis	All three can include hallucinations and delusions
Medication needed	Antipsychotics are often used in all conditions
Ongoing support	Regular help from mental health services is important
Not your fault	These are medical conditions — they are not a choice

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✅ Getting Help

If you or someone you know shows signs of psychosis, extreme mood changes, or seems unwell:

📞 Speak to a doctor
🏥 Call emergency services if someone is in danger
💬 Contact mental health services or helplines

Early help makes a big difference.

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✅ What Is Schizoaffective Disorder?

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition that combines symptoms of schizophrenia (like psychosis) with mood disorder symptoms (like depression or mania).

It includes:

• Psychosis (hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking)

• Mood symptoms, such as:

  • Depression (feeling low, tired, hopeless)

  • Or Mania (feeling very high, full of energy, talking fast)

It’s like a mix of:

• Schizophrenia

• Bipolar disorder (or major depression)

But schizoaffective is its own diagnosis, not just a mix of two things.

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🧩 Comparison Table

Condition	Psychosis?	Mood Problems?	Key Features
Psychosis (symptom)	✅ Always present	❌ Not always	A mental state, not a condition itself
Schizophrenia	✅ Core symptom	❌ May have minor symptoms	Long-term condition, mainly psychosis
Bipolar Disorder	✅ Sometimes	✅ Main symptom	Highs (mania) and lows (depression)
Schizoaffective	✅ Core symptom	✅ Core symptom	Mix of mood disorder and psychosis symptoms

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🩺 Treatment for Schizoaffective Disorder

Usually includes:

• Antipsychotic medication

• Mood stabilisers or antidepressants

• Talking therapies (like CBT)

• Support services for recovery and everyday life

Easy Read Guide: Mental Illnesses That May Include Psychosis

Understanding Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorder

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1️⃣ Schizophrenia

A condition that affects how people think, feel, and see the world.

Key Signs:

• Hearing voices or seeing things that others don’t (hallucinations)

• Believing things that aren’t true (delusions)

• Confused or jumbled speech

• Losing interest in things

• Finding it hard to speak, feel emotion, or keep clean

What it feels like:

• Thinking someone is following you when they aren’t

• Hearing voices that tell you what to do

• Trouble understanding what’s real

Support and Treatment:

• Antipsychotic medicine

• Talking therapies like CBT

• Help from mental health teams, friends, and family

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2️⃣ Bipolar Disorder

A condition that causes big mood swings — from very high to very low.

Two main mood phases:

🔺 Mania or Hypomania (High Mood):

• Feeling very happy or excited

• Talking fast and having lots of energy

• Sleeping very little

• Making big or risky decisions (spending lots of money, driving fast)

• Feeling very important or like you can do anything

🔻 Depression (Low Mood):

• Feeling sad or hopeless

• Sleeping too much or not at all

• Not wanting to eat or speak

• Thinking life isn’t worth living

• Feeling empty, guilty, or tired all the time

Psychosis in Bipolar:

• Some people hear voices or have false beliefs during mania or depression.

• Example during mania: “I’m chosen by God.”

• Example during depression: “Everyone is against me.”

Support and Treatment:

• Mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium)

• Antidepressants and antipsychotics

• Talking therapy

• Support to manage routines, sleep, money, and relationships

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3️⃣ Schizoaffective Disorder

A mental illness that combines psychosis with mood symptoms.

This means:

• A person might hear voices or have delusions (like in schizophrenia)

• And also have depression or mania (like in bipolar)

Key Signs:

• Hallucinations or delusions

• Mood changes (very low or very high)

• Feeling very up one day, then down the next

• Finding it hard to know what’s real

Support and Treatment:

• Antipsychotic medicines

• Mood stabilisers or antidepressants

• Therapy and community support

• Help from professionals who understand both psychosis and mood disorders

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🔍 Quick Summary Table

Condition	Includes Psychosis?	Mood Changes?	Main Features
Schizophrenia	✅ Yes	❌ Rarely	Hallucinations, delusions, disorganised speech
Bipolar Disorder	✅ Sometimes	✅ Yes	Highs (mania) and lows (depression)
Schizoaffective	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Mix of schizophrenia + mood disorder symptoms

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💬 Getting Help Is Important