Brief Psychotic Disorder

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), classifies brief psychotic disorder as belonging to the category of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. ^[1] These disorders are characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, motor behavior abnormalities (including catatonia), and negative symptoms.

Brief psychotic disorder is distinguished from related disorders by the combination of sudden onset, relatively short duration (< 1 month) and full return of functioning. The diagnosis has been better appreciated and more completely studied in Scandinavia and other Western European countries than it has been in the United States.

Diagnostic criteria (DSM-5)

The specific DSM-5 criteria for brief psychotic disorder are as follows ^[1] :

• The patient must have 1 or more of the following symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech (eg, frequent derailment or incoherence), and grossly disoriented or catatonic behavior; 1 or more of the first 3 symptoms must always be present; a symptom should not be included if it is a culturally sanctioned response

• The 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 cannot be better explained by major depressive or bipolar disorder with psychotic features or by another psychotic disorder (eg, schizophrenia or catatonia), nor can it be attributed to the physiologic effects of a substance or medication or another medical condition

In addition, the following must be specified:

• Presence of marked stressor(s) (brief reactive psychosis)

• Absence of marked stressor(s)

• Postpartum onset (if onset is during pregnancy or ≤4 weeks post partum) ^{[2, 3]}

• Presence of catatonia

Use additional code 293.89 (F06.1) when catatonia is associated with brief psychotic disorder to indicate the presence of the comorbid catatonia.

The severity of brief psychotic disorder can be specified on the basis of quantitative assessment of the primary symptoms (see above), though a diagnosis can be made without specifying severity in this manner. Each symptom is rated with respect to current severity on a 5-point scale that ranges from 0 (not present) to 4 (present and severe).

The causes of brief psychotic episodes are largely unknown. Patients with personality disorder may have biologic or psychological vulnerability toward the development of psychotic symptoms. One or more severe stress factors, such as traumatic events, family conflict, employment problems, accidents, severe illness, death of a loved one, and uncertain immigration status, can precipitate brief reactive psychosis.

Psychodynamic theories suggest that the psychotic symptoms occur because of inadequate coping mechanisms, as a defense against prohibited fantasy, or as an escape from a specific psychological situation or an overwhelming stressful circumstance. It must be understood that the individual perceives the stress as totally overwhelming. Neither biologic nor psychological theories have been validated by carefully controlled clinical studies.

Some studies support a genetic vulnerability to brief psychotic disorder. Some data suggest an increased incidence of mood disorders in families of patients with brief psychotic disorder.

United States statistics

Brief psychotic disorder is not common. In a follow-up study of 221 first-admission patients with affective and nonaffective psychoses, only 20 (9%) of the 221 experienced brief psychoses, and only 7 (3%) experienced acute brief psychoses. ^[4]

International statistics

According to an international epidemiologic study, the incidence of nonaffective acute remitting psychoses in contrast to that of schizophrenia, was 10-fold higher in developing countries than in industrialized countries. ^[5] Some clinicians believe that the disorder may occur most frequently in patients from lower socioeconomic classes, patients with preexisting personality disorders, and immigrants.

In nonindustrialized countries, such terms as yak, latah, koro, amok, and whitiligo have been used to describe psychotic states precipitated by stressful events. These and several similar cultural terms are now considered to be culture-bound syndromes.

Age- and sex-related demographics

Although this disorder may appear in adolescence or early adulthood it can occur accross the life span. The disorder is more common in patients late in the third to early in the fourth decade of life. Cases have also been recognized later in life. An international epidemiologic study found the incidence of the disorder to 2-fold higher in women than in men. ^[5] Study reports from the United States indicate an even preponderance in women.

Generally, brief psychotic disorder has a good prognosis and runs its course in less than 1 month. A good prognosis is usually associated with sudden onset, short duration of symptoms, and good premorbid adjustment; the prognosis is especially favorable for patients with no premorbid psychiatric history. According to European studies, 50-80% of all patients have no further major psychiatric problems.

As with any other psychotic episode, the risk of harm to self or others increases with an acute episode of brief psychotic disorder. ^[6] Some data indicate that a brief psychotic episode with an acute onset may be an early manifestation of severe mental disorder (eg, an affective disorder). ^[7] Patients may be at risk for committing suicide during psychotic episodes, especially when brief psychotic disorder is associated with affective symptoms.

Both the patient and the family must be educated about the illness and the potential adverse effects of the medications. Helpful Web sites include the following:

• MedlinePlus, Brief reactive psychosis

• WebMD, Schizophrenia and Brief Psychotic Disorder

• MedicineNet.com, Brief Psychotic Disorder