Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders are mental health conditions characterized by a disruption in thoughts, emotions, perceptions, and behavior. These disorders cause individuals to experience a detachment from reality and often involve symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impaired social functioning.

Schizophrenia is the most well-known psychotic disorder. It is a chronic and severe mental illness that affects about 1% of the population worldwide. People with schizophrenia may experience positive symptoms, such as hallucinations (perceiving things that are not present) and delusions (holding false beliefs), as well as negative symptoms, such as reduced emotional expression, social withdrawal, and difficulties with cognitive function.