Brief psychotic disorder

• Overview:

  • Brief psychotic disorder is the sudden onset of psychotic behaviour that lasts less than 1 month followed by complete remission
  • Possible future relapse
  • Differentiation from schizophreniform disorder and schizophrenia by the duration of psychosis
  • Brief psychotic disorder with a marked stressor is also referred to as brief reactive psychosis
• Clinical features:

  • Sudden onset
  • perplexity
  • Inattention
  • Thought disorder
  • Delusions
  • Hallucinations
  • Disorganized or catatonic behaviour
  • Resolve within 1 month
• Epidemiology:

  • Associated with certain personality types - paranoid, borderline and histrionic
  • More prevalent in developing nations where there is a strong emphasis on traditional values
  • More common in women
• Management:

  • Short term admission may be needed to help with any suicidal/aggressive tendencies
  • Where medication is considered - antipsychotics and/or benzodiazepines
  • Antidepressants or mood stabilizers may be useful to prevent relapse
  • Address specific triggers or social issues
• The chance of recurrence are high so follow up and low dose pharmacotherapy is recommended to continue for at least 1-2 years