Thought Disorders Services

Thought disorders, also known as psychotic disorders, primarily include the following diagnoses:

• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Mood disorders (often major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder) with psychotic features 

People with these disorders often struggle with symptoms of agitation, false beliefs (delusions), and hearing and seeing things that are not there (hallucinations). They may also experience paranoia and severe lack of motivation. These symptoms will likely impact all spheres of a person’s life including their physical and emotional wellbeing, their ability to create or maintain social relationships, and their ability to obtain or keep a job.  

Thought disorders are not common. They are estimated to occur in less than one percent of the U.S. population. People generally begin to experience the symptoms of a thought disorder in young adulthood, particularly during the late teens and early twenties.  

Our specialized team of clinicians has deep expertise working with patients over age 18 with thought disorders. We can provide medication management, psychotherapy, and other forms of symptom management. We are also able to administer long-acting injections if needed. Our goal is to help alleviate symptoms in our patients so that they can function as independently and successfully as possible in their home communities. 

We work to eliminate or relieve symptoms of thought disorder to improve patient quality of life and overall functioning. We can also streamline a patient’s medication regimen, work with them on improving coping skills, provide techniques and therapies for symptom management and refer patients on for additional supportive resources.

Sheppard Pratt has a robust continuum of care for patients with thought disorders.  Should a patient require a higher level of care than outpatient services, they can step-up to our Thought Disorders Day Hospitals or our specialized Thought Disorders inpatient unit for more acute-care needs. 

Vocational services for individuals with thought disorders

Sheppard Pratt has a long history of helping individuals with varying disabilities obtain employment in their communities. Competitive, integrated employment can play an important role in recovery. For individuals dealing with thought disorders, vocational services provide them with structured, meaningful activities and help facilitate independence, improved quality of life, and symptom management.

Sheppard Pratt offers the following vocational services for individuals with thought disorders: 

• Career assessment
• Individualized job development
• Coaching and training on a job site
• Skills training
• Symptom management
• Coordination with their treatment team
• Long term supports to help maintain employment

Housing services for individuals with thought disorders

Sheppard Pratt’s community residential rehabilitation programs offer adults with mental illness, including thought disorders, a range of housing options in apartments, townhouses and single-family homes throughout Maryland. The programs honor the dignity of the individuals they serve and are respectful of personal choices. Services are person-centered, strength-based, and recovery-oriented. They are provided at a frequency and intensity that meets each resident’s individual needs. The programs, which are nationally accredited and designed to facilitate independence and community engagement, take into account each person’s unique needs, desires, health, and safety. The residential programs provide services, supports, and interventions that help individuals live in the community and achieve their personal goals. 

The Residential Rehabilitation Programs provide a range of housing options, services, and supports in the following areas:

• Assessment and planning
• Crisis prevention and intervention
• Grocery shopping and meal preparation skills training and support
• Health and wellness
• Housekeeping skills training
• Illness management and recovery
• Independence and community integration 
• Interpersonal and communication skills training
• Medication education
• Medication monitoring and management
• Money management
• Personal care skills training
• Rep-payee services
• Resource management
• Room and board
• Safety
• Social and leisure activities
• Transportation

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) for patients with thought disorders

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), also known as mobile treatment, provides psychiatric and wrap-around services designed to improve overall health and well-being for vulnerable populations. ACT is a multidisciplinary team approach that uses community outreach to deliver comprehensive care to adults with thought disorders and other persistent mental illnesses. It is an effective intervention for individuals with significant mental health issues who struggle to engage in traditional outpatient settings. It has been shown to reduce hospitalization rates, increase housing stability and improve quality of life for those with the most severe symptoms of mental illness.  

Services are tailored to each individual and available whenever they are needed. ACT mobile health services can include:

• Linkage to primary care services
• Client-centered psychiatric evaluation and treatment planning
• Education and support for family members
• Education around physical and mental health, substance abuse, daily living, and socialization skills
• Employment services such as skills assessment and training
• Medication administration and monitoring
• Substance abuse services
• Talk therapy (psychotherapy) to help clients manage their symptoms and increase their ability to function