Brief psychotic disorder

Sudden onset of at least 1 positive psychotic symptom (e.g., delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior).

Episode lasts for a short duration (1 to 30 days), with return to full premorbid level of functioning; can occur in the presence or absence of a major stressor.

Diagnosis can only be made if other drug-induced, medical, neurologic, or other psychiatric conditions can be excluded as causes.

Postpartum BPD is probable when the onset of psychotic symptoms occurs within 4 weeks after giving birth.

Treatment is with antipsychotic medication and follow-up care with a psychiatric specialist to monitor progress and reduce risk of recurrence.

Brief psychotic disorder (BPD) is a short-term disturbance that involves the sudden onset of at least 1 positive psychotic symptom. These symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence), or grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior. BPD can last between 1 and 30 days before the patient fully returns to the premorbid level of functioning. To be diagnosed as BPD, the disturbance must not be substance induced and not be better accounted for by schizoaffective disorder, a mood disorder with psychotic features, schizophrenia, or a general medical condition (e.g., seizure disorder, syphilis, sarcoidosis, lung cancer, thyrotoxicosis, or head trauma).[1]American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press; 2013. BPD is categorized as occurring with marked stressors, without marked stressors, or postpartum.[1]American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press; 2013.