Section Menu

Psychotic Disorders

Also known as: mental disorders, delusions, hallucinations.

What are psychotic disorders in children and teens?

Severe mental problems that interfere with a child or adolescent’s ability to think clearly, respond emotionally, communicate normally, have unusual perceptions (hallucinations), have delusions (a false, fixed, odd belief), understand reality and behave appropriately, are known as psychotic disorders.

Psychotic symptoms are seen in children and adolescents with schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder and some forms of alcohol and drug abuse.

What causes psychotic disorders?

Often, psychotic disorders are the result of a complex web of underlying genetic, hereditary, psychological, and environmental factors. Sometimes it’s secondary to an underlying medical condition like a brain tumor, brain infection, blood salt imbalance (and other metabolic disorders), seizure disorder and many others.

What are psychotic disorder care options?

Most youth will need multiple interventions to manage symptoms, comprehensive community programs, medications, psychotherapy, family support, vocational and rehabilitation assistance, specialized educational programs, inpatient and/or residential treatment.

Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 9/16/2025 12:25:24 PM

Psychiatry

The Pediatric Psychiatry team at Nicklaus Children's Hospital uses a interdisciplinary and family-centered treatment approach for a variety of behavioral disorders and conditions. 

Learn More
Check Your Symptoms
Use the symptom checker tool to check how serious your symptoms are, if a healthcare visit is needed, and what steps you can take to relieve your symptoms at home.

Learn more about

Bipolar Disorder Please see Mood and Anxiety Disorders for further information.
Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is an uncommon but severe, serious and disabling chronic psychiatric disorder where children and young adults interpret reality abnormally, have strange thinking/feelings and unusual behavior and emotions.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After a threatened or actual catastrophic incident children and adolescents may experience ongoing difficulties and symptoms which are called post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.
Family Therapy Family and group therapy are both forms of psychological counseling that involve multiple participants and can take many forms. Families can all go to therapy together to improve communication and address conflicts.
Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is a form of therapy and counseling that is conducted by a mental health professional, for example a psychologist, a licensed mental health counselor, social worker or a psychiatrist.
Psychiatric Evaluation A psychiatric evaluation is an evaluation process with a mental health professional, designed to diagnose and treat (using both medications and other therapies), emotional, behavioral or developmental conditions or disorders.