Mental Health Basics


Shared Psychotic Disorder

Shared psychotic disorder is a very rare condition in which people
close to a mentally ill person share his or her false beliefs
(delusions). As an example, a man with schizophrenia may falsely
believe that his children are trying to murder him. His wife
develops shared psychotic disorder and comes to believe it as well.
This disorder usually occurs in long-term relationships and involves
two people. However, it can also develop among members of a group,
such as within families. It affects women more often than men.

Aside from the delusions, the thoughts and behavior of people with
shared psychotic disorder are usually fairly normal.

Someone who is closely associated with a delusional person also
develops a delusion.

The content of this new delusion is similar to that of the first
person's delusion.

The disorder is not explained better by another psychotic disorder,
such as Schizophrenia or Mood Disorder with Psychotic Features.

This disorder is not directly caused by a general medical condition
or the use of substances, including prescription medications.

Some disorders have similar or even the same symptom. The clinician,
therefore, in his diagnostic attempt has to differentiate against
the following disorders which he needs to rule out to establish a
precise diagnosis.

Schizophrenia;
Delusional Disorder;
Schizoaffective Disorder;
and Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features.

Cause:

The cause of shared psychotic disorder is unknown. Stress is
believed to play a role and a person who experiences extreme
isolation can also contribute to the development of this disorder.

Treatment:

Treatment will include medication and treating the mentally ill
person to whom you are close. It may also include couples or family
psychotherapy.

Counseling and Psychotherapy:

Cognitive, Behavior, and Psychoanalytic therapies are used to treat
individuals with a shared psychotic disorder.

Pharmacotherapy