How Long Does Psychosis Last in Schizophrenia?

Unlike psychotic episodes characteristic for other types of disorders, in schizophrenia, psychotic episodes last up to 6 months. Typically, schizophrenia’s episode includes 3 phases with a prodrome phase lasting from a couple of weeks to a month. This phase is a starting phase preceding the psychosis. It shows a couple of symptoms indicating psychosis’ advent. Then comes a psychotic episode also called the acute phase with hallucinations, a catatonic state, delusions, disorganized speech etc. After that, a recovery phase comes with the reduction of major symptoms. Some patients may experience recurring psychotic episodes while in others, schizophrenia psychosis may occur once or twice during their lifetime.