Psychotic features are often present during the manic phase of bipolar I disorder. Aspects of psychosis may also manifest during extreme episodes of depression. They are also present in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. These features include delusions (false ideas about what is taking place or who one is) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things which aren’t there).

Catatonia

Here is a brief but comprehensive definition of Catatonia and catatonic features – which may be present in bipolar disorder – schizoaffective disorder – or schizophrenia.

Delusion of Reference

Delusions of Reference refers to the strongly held belief that random events, objects, behaviors of others, etc., have a particular and unusual significance to oneself.

Delusions

Delusions are false beliefs that are firmly held. They are one aspect of the psychotic features of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are most often associated with mental illness schizophrenia. However, they may also occur for those with bipolar disorder when either depression or mania has psychotic features.

Negativism

Negativism is a trait of catatonic stupor.

Paranoia

Found here is a brief but comprehensive definition of paranoia – which may be present in bipolar disorder or schizophrenia as well as several other mental illnesses.

Psychosis

Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality, typically including delusions (false ideas about what is taking place or who one is) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things which aren’t there).

    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 30 Jan 2013
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.