What defines a person experiencing a psychotic disorder?

A person experiencing a psychotic disorder is primarily characterized by a delusional state marked by a significant loss of contact with reality. This involves the presence of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, which greatly affect one's perception of reality. Individuals may hear voices, see things that aren't there, or firmly believe in false ideas despite contrary evidence. This disruption leads to challenges in differentiating what is real from what is not, impacting their ability to function normally in society.

In contrast, the other options describe conditions that do not meet the criteria for a psychotic disorder. For instance, being in touch with reality but experiencing anxiety reflects a different type of mental health issue, such as an anxiety disorder. The ability to manage everyday tasks suggests a functional capacity that is typically not compromised in psychosis. Similarly, the presence of only mild mood swings points towards mood disorders rather than the severe disruptions seen in psychotic conditions. Therefore, the defining characteristic is indeed the delusional state and loss of reality inherent in psychotic disorders.