How to Get Rid of Brief Psychotic Disorder

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The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) describes brief psychotic disorder based primarily on duration of symptoms. DSM-IV defines brief psychotic disorder as an illness lasting from 1 day to 1 month, with an eventual return to the premorbid level of functioning. Brief psychotic disorder is uncommon. Preexisting personality disorders (eg, paranoid, histrionic, narcissistic, schizotypal, borderline) predispose to its development. A major stressor, such as loss of a loved one, may precipitate the disorder.

The sufferer must have one of the following symptoms:

• delusions,
• hallucinations,
• grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior,
• or disorganized speech.

Diagnostic Criteria for Brief Psychotic Disorder

• Presence of one (or more) of the following symptoms:
  1. delusions
  2. hallucinations
  3. disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence)
  4. grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior

  Note: Do not include a symptom if it is a culturally sanctioned response pattern.

• Duration of an episode of the disturbance is at least 1 day but less than 1 month, with eventual full return to premorbid level of functioning.
• The disturbance is not better accounted for by a Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features, Schizoaffective Disorder, or Schizophrenia and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.

A brief psychotic episode is time limited, lasting at least a day, but less than a month. As a rule, the quicker the onset, the faster the recovery.

Differential Diagnosis of Brief Psychotic Disorder

Delirium, Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder, Substance-Induced Delirium and Substance Intoxication.
Mood Episode, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features, Factitious Disorder, Malingering, Personality Disorder, Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

Treatment of Brief Psychotic Disorder

Antipsychotic medications will usually bring an end to the episode. However, a short hospital stay may be necessary. Shock treatments (electroconvulsive therapy) may be in order if medications fail to bring the victim back to reality.

Facts and Tips about Brief Psychotic Disorder

• Brief psychotic disorder occurs soon after and frequently in response to a trauma or major stress, for example the death of a love one, an accident or assault, or a natural disaster.
• Brief psychotic disorder by means noticeable stressor also know brief reactive psychosis.
• Brief psychotic disorder occurs in women, usually within 4 weeks of having a baby.
• Frequency of the disorder was 2-fold higher in women than in men and study reports in the United States indicate even higher occurrence in women than in men.
• Disorganized thinking, speech or language that doesn't make sense, unusual behavior and dress, problems with memory, disorientation or confusion, changes in eating or sleeping habits, energy level, or eliminability to make decisions can be symptoms of brief psychotic disorder.
• For treating brief psychotic disorder sensitive attack can require full-time hospitalization in a locked inpatient unit.