Brief Psychotic Disorder

The DSM IV describes a disorder called brief psychotic disorder. This disorder falls under the category of psychotic disorders and manifests similarly. A psychotic disorder is one in which an individual experiences delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are defined as having false beliefs which substantially affect an individual's capacity to function effectively day to day. Common delusions are often associated with believing someone is trying to hurt you or that you are a famous person such as Jesus Christ or Napoleon etc. Hallucinations, on the other hand, are perceptions that are incorrect related to seeing and hearing things that aren't there.

Brief Psychotic Disorder Etiology

Unlike a diagnosis of psychotic disorder, brief psychotic disorder is generally a result of an extremely stressful incident or trauma and is a short-term illness. It lasts for less than a month. If the symptoms continue past a month the diagnosis was inaccurate.

Brief Psychotic Disorder Types

There are three forms of this illness. The type called brief psychotic with obvious stress occurs shortly following, and generally in response to, a major stress like the death of a loved one, an accident, an assault a natural disaster etc. The form called brief psychotic disorder without obvious stressor appears to have no trigger or stressful event preceding the onset of the illness. A form of brief psychotic disorder can occur with postpartum depression. This form of the illness will usually manifest inside four weeks of delivery of a baby.

Brief Psychotic Disorder Causes

There is not an exact or known cause. There is a theory that proposes there might be a genetic connection because it seems this illness if found most commonly in individuals who come from a family with a history of mood disorders like bipolar and depression. An additional theory is that the illness is created by not having effective coping skills allowing the individual to get out of or escape from scary or stressful situations.

Brief Psychotic Disorder Prevalence

Suffice it to say, brief psychotic disorder is very uncommon. When it does occur it typically presents itself in early adulthood around the ages of 20 to 30. It has been found to be more common in women than men. If an individual has a diagnosed personality disorder such as antisocial personality disorder or paranoid personality disorder, they are at greater risk of developing brief psychotic disorder.

Brief Psychotic Disorder Treatment

Medication and psychotherapy are the treatments of choice for Brief Psychotic Disorder. Generally hospitalization is not necessary unless the individual is at risk of harming them self or others.

Related Articles
Family Development and Infant Development
Mental Illness: Frotteurism in Children
Professions with Highest Suicide Rates