Brief psychotic disorder

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Brief psychotic disorder
Classification and external resources
Specialty psychotherapy, psychiatry
ICD-10 F23

Brief psychotic disorder is a period of psychosis whose duration is generally shorter, is not always non-recurring, but can be, and is not caused by another condition.


The disorder is characterized by a sudden onset of psychotic symptoms, which may include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, or catatonic behavior. The symptoms must not be caused by schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder or mania in bipolar disorder. They must also not be caused by a drug (such as amphetamines) or medical condition (such as a brain tumor). The term bouffée délirante describes an acute nonaffective and nonschizophrenic psychotic disorder, which is largely similar to DSM-III-R and DSM-IV brief psychotic and schizophreniform disorders.[1]


There are three forms of brief psychotic disorder: 1. Brief psychotic disorder with a stressor, such as a trauma or death in the family. 2. Brief psychotic disorder without a stressor, there is no obvious stressor. 3. Brief psychotic disorder with postpartum onset. Usually occurs about four weeks after giving birth.


The exact incidence and prevalence of brief psychotic disorder is not known, but it is generally considered uncommon.[3] Internationally, it occurs twice as often in women than men, and even more often in women in the United States. It typically occurs in the late 30s and early 40s.[2] The exact cause of brief psychotic disorder is not known. One theory suggests a genetic link, because the disorder is more common in people who have family members with mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder. Another theory suggests that the disorder is caused by poor coping skills, as a defense against or escape from a particularly frightening or stressful situation. These factors may create a vulnerability to develop brief psychotic disorder. In most cases, the disorder is triggered by a major stress or traumatic event. Childbirth may trigger the disorder in some women.[4] Approximately 1 in 10,000 women experience brief psychotic disorder shortly after childbirth.[5] There are general medical causes of brief psychosis that should also be considered when being evaluated. Post-natal depression, HIV and AIDS, malaria, syphilis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, hypoglycaemia (an abnormally low level of glucose in the blood), lupus, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor and PANS.[6]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Chabrol, H (2003). "Chronic hallucinatory psychosis, bouffée délirante, and the classification of psychosis in French psychiatry". Current psychiatry reports. 5 (3): 187–91. doi:10.1007/s11920-003-0040-2. PMID 12773270. 
  2. ^ a b "eMedicine - Brief Psychotic Disorder : Article by Mohammed A Memon". 
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  5. ^ Nolen-Hoeksema, Susan (2014). Abnormal Psychology (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hil Education. pp. 230–231. ISBN 9780078035388. 
  6. ^ Chang, Kiki; Frankovich, Jennifer; Cooperstock, Michael; Cunningham, Madeleine W.; Latimer, M. Elizabeth; Murphy, Tanya K.; Pasternack, Mark; Thienemann, Margo; Williams, Kyle (2014-10-17). "Clinical Evaluation of Youth with Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS): Recommendations from the 2013 PANS Consensus Conference". Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. 25 (1): 3–13. doi:10.1089/cap.2014.0084. ISSN 1044-5463. PMC 4340805Freely accessible. PMID 25325534.