Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- presence of risk factors
- at least 1 positive psychotic symptom lasting >1 day but <1 month
- symptoms not due to substance use
- symptoms not due to medical condition
Other diagnostic factors
- pregnant or within 4 weeks postpartum
- recent stress and trauma
Risk factors
- significant life stressor
- personality disorder
- family history of psychotic disorder
- pregnancy or 4 weeks postpartum
- previous psychiatric symptoms in women
- age 35 to 45 years
- single mother
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- serum pregnancy test (females)
Tests to consider
- electrolytes
- BUN
- creatinine
- glucose
- LFTs
- TFTs
- syphilis serology
- urinalysis
- urine toxicology
- ECG
- CT scan brain
- MRI brain
Treatment algorithm
able to accept or tolerate oral treatment
refusing or unable to tolerate oral medication
Contributors
Authors
Kimberly R. Warren, PhD
Associate Professor
Morgan State University
Department of Psychology
Baltimore
MD
Disclosures
KRW declares that she has no competing interests.
Elaine Weiner, MD
Assistant Professor
Outpatient Research Program
Department of Psychiatry
Maryland Psychiatric Research Center
University of Maryland
School of Medicine
Catonsville
MD
Disclosures
EW declares that she has no competing interests.
Deanna L. Kelly, PharmD
Associate Professor
Director
Treatment Research Program
Maryland Psychiatric Research Center
University of Maryland
School of Medicine
Department of Psychiatry
Catonsville
MD
Disclosures
DLK has served as a consultant for Alkermes and HLS Therapeutics.
Acknowledgements
Dr Kimberly Warren, Dr Elaine Weiner, and Dr Deanna Kelly would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr William R. Keller, a previous contributor to this topic.
Disclosures
WRK declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Joel Yager, MD
Professor
Department of Psychiatry
University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Albuquerque
NM
Disclosures
JY is an author of a reference cited in this topic.
Craig N. Sawchuk, PhD
Affiliate Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
University of Washington Medical Center
Seattle
WA
Disclosures
CNS declares that he has no competing interests.
References
Key articles
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th ed. Text revision. (DSM-5-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2022.
Fusar-Poli P, Salazar de Pablo G, Rajkumar RP, et al. Diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of brief psychotic episodes: a review and research agenda. Lancet Psychiatry. 2022 Jan;9(1):72-83. Abstract
Kane JM, Leucht S, Carpenter D, et al. Optimizing pharmacologic treatment of psychotic disorders: the expert consensus guideline series. J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64(12 suppl):1-100. Abstract
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Psychosis and schizophrenia in adults: prevention and management. Mar 2014 [internet publication].Full text
Reference articles
A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
Differentials
- Schizophrenia
- Delusional disorder
- Major depressive disorder with psychotic features
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Psychosis and schizophrenia in adults: prevention and management
- Optimizing pharmacologic treatment of psychotic disorders: the Expert Consensus Guideline Series
More GuidelinesPatient information
Brief psychotic disorder
More Patient informationLog in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice
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