Shared Psychotic Disorder

Shared psychotic disorder is a very rare condition in which people close to a mentally ill person share his false beliefs delusions. Shared psychotic disorder usually occurs only in long-term relationships in which one person is dominant and the other is passive. The person that the delusions are induced in is submissive to the person with the psychotic disorder. The people often are reclusive or in other ways isolated from society and have close emotional links with each other. The disorder can occur in groups of individuals who are closely involved with a person who has a psychotic disorder.

The disturbance is not due to the effects of a drug of abuse, a medication or a general medical condition. The dominating psychosis is most commonly found in persons with schizophrenia, delusions, or mood disorders.  Common Causes and risk factors of Shared Psychotic Disorder are: social isolation and stress.

Sign and Symptoms of Shared Psychotic Disorder usually are: delusions; hallucinations;  disorganized speech; disorganized or catatonic behavior.

Common Treatments of Shared Psychotic Disorder are: Antipsychotics are the preferred treatment for these disorders. Antipsychotic medications are also useful for Shared Psychotic Disorder. Anticonvulsants are also highly effective for shared psychotic disorder. Psychotherapy in treating Shared Psychotic Disorder may be Family therapy to reestablish the family and to provide social support to modify old family activity.