Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are two different psychological disorders; however, the Mayo Clinic states that bipolar disorder patients can have similar symptoms if they have bipolar with psychosis. The psychosis in bipolar disorder is defined as while the patient is in a manic or depressive phase, she loses her touch with reality. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) adds that patients who have bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms are often misdiagnosed with schizophrenia.
Delusions
One of the schizophrenic symptoms that can occur in psychotic bipolar disorder is delusions. The Mayo Clinic defines delusions as "false but strongly held beliefs." Even if the patient is told he is wrong and is presented with indisputable evidence, he will hold strong to his delusions. The delusions experienced by the patient depend on which mood phase he is having. The NIMH states that delusions during mania include the patient believing that he is a celebrity and a millionaire, or thinking that he has superpowers; delusions during depression include the patient thinking he committed a crime or believing he has been financially ruined.
Hallucinations
Another schizophrenic symptom is hallucinations, where the patient hears or sees something that does not exist, according to the Mayo Clinic; the hallucination can also be an olfactory hallucination, where the patient smells something non-existent, or a tactile hallucination, where the patient feels like she is being touched when no one is there. Like the delusions, the hallucinations also correspond to the mood phase. For example, during depression, the patient may hear someone telling her she should kill herself; during mania, the patient may hear someone telling her that she is invincible and can do anything.
Psychotic Break
The Mayo Clinic notes that when a patient has sudden psychosis, or a psychotic break, it may be his first sign of bipolar disorder. Besides having delusions and hallucinations, the patient may also be extremely agitated or irritable; both the agitation and irritability can occur during the manic and depressive phases.
