Brief psychotic disorder is currently classified with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.

It is differentiated from other related disorders by its sudden onset, its relatively short duration (< 1 month), and the full return of functioning.

Signs and symptoms

Brief psychotic disorder is characterized by the abrupt onset of 1 or more of the following symptoms: Delusions Hallucinations Bizarre behavior and posture Disorganized speech Associated symptoms may include the following: Affective symptoms Disorientation Impaired attention Catatonic behavior The following are also commonly observed in brief psychotic disorder: Emotional volatility Outlandish dress or behavior Screaming or muteness Impaired memory for recent events A psychiatric history may be helpful. Symptoms of brief psychotic disorder must be distinguished from culturally sanctioned response patterns that may resemble such symptoms. Cultural and religious background must always be taken into account when a judgment is to be made about whether a given patients beliefs are delusional. Routine physical examination is necessary to exclude medical causes of psychosis. A careful Mental Status Examination is vital. See Presentation for more detail.

Diagnosis
Specific laboratory studies for brief psychotic disorder do not exist. The history, the physical examination, and laboratory tests can help differentiate this condition from psychotic disorder secondary to general medical condition, delirium, and various other disorders. No imaging studies are required for diagnosis; though CT, MRI, and EEG may be considered for assessing possible medical causes of psychosis. See Workup for more detail.

Management
Management considerations include the following: Treatment is brief and focused on being as nonrestrictive as possible It is clinically imperative to prevent patients from harming themselves or others; thus, brief hospitalization may be necessary, potentially including brief seclusion or restraint for aggressive or combative patients If symptoms are only minimally impairing the patients function and a specific stressor is identified, removing the stressor should suffice for treatment If symptoms are disabling, an antipsychotic agent should be given, but for no longer than 1 month. Antipsychotics include the

following: Haloperidol Thiothixene Olanzapine Quetiapine Ziprasidone Risperidone Paliperidone Once the acute attack has ended, further inpatient care is unnecessary. Individual, family, and group psychotherapy may be considered to help cope with stressors, resolve conflict, and improve self-esteem and self-confidence.