Psychotic disorder and schizophrenia are often confused and used interchangeably, but they are two distinct disorders. Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Psychotic disorder, on the other hand, is a blanket term for a group of mental disorders that involve a break with reality. Some of the most common psychotic disorders include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and delusional disorder. While schizophrenia and psychotic disorder share some symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and difficulty functioning in everyday life, they are not the same disorder. Knowing the differences between the two can help you better understand and manage your mental health.