Assessing Symptoms of Psychotic Disorders

Course overview

There are a number of disorders that can include the presence of psychotic symptoms. Psychosis is a term used to describe symptoms that typically include the presence of hallucinations and delusions. However, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition (DSM-5) describes features of psychosis as experiencing abnormalities in one or more of the following domains: Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking or speech, grossly disorganized or abnormal motor behavior, and negative symptoms (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). Clinicians should be educated on the various signs and symptoms of psychotic disorders in order to assess their clients and provide individualized and comprehensive care. The goal of this course is to provide information about the signs, symptoms, and treatment strategies for psychotic disorders.