What does the term "psychotic spectrum disorders" encompass?

The term "psychotic spectrum disorders" specifically refers to conditions that primarily involve significant impairments in thought processes, perception, and reality testing. This includes schizophrenia and other related disorders that are characterized by symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.

Schizophrenia is a classic example within this spectrum, featuring symptoms that can disrupt one’s perception of reality. Other disorders within this category might include schizoaffective disorder and brief psychotic disorder, both of which also exhibit characteristics of psychosis. Understanding the psychotic spectrum is critical for recognizing the complexity of these disorders and the essential nature of addressing severe alterations in perception and thought that impact functioning and behavior.

In contrast, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders do not primarily fall under the umbrella of psychotic disorders, as they typically do not involve the hallmark symptoms of delusions and hallucinations that define psychotic experiences. Thus, recognizing the specificity of psychotic spectrum disorders is essential in psychiatric nursing practice and understanding mental health.