Brief Psychotic Disorder - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Brief psychotic disorder is a short-term break from reality. Brief Psychotic Disorder also known as brief reactive psychosis. Brief Psychotic Disorder is more common in patients late in the third to early in the fourth decade of life. Cases have also been recognized later in life. It is occurs shortly after and often in response to a trauma or major stress, such as the death of a love one, an accident or assault, or a natural disaster. Most cases of brief psychotic disorder occur as a reaction to a very disturbing event. A brief psychotic episode is usually triggered by a traumatic event such as a death , assault, or rape. Previous emotional problems increase the possibility of an episode. Some women develop the problem after giving birth. The disorder is not brought on by physical illness, and is not a reaction to drugs. Patients usually present with severe psychotic agitation that may be associated with strange or bizarre behavior, uncooperativeness, physical or verbal aggression, disorganized speech, screaming or muteness, labile or depressed mood, suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts or behaviors, restlessness, hallucinations, delusions, disorientation, impaired attention, impaired concentration, impaired memory, poor insight, and poor judgment. Psychological stressors in individuals with personality disorders may precipitate brief periods of psychotic symptoms. In such cases, if symptoms persist longer than 1 day, an additional diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder may be considered.

Brief Psychotic Disorder illness usually begins abruptly and disappears within a month. Brief Psychotic Disorder is a psychosis that has a rapid onset, generally following a major stressor. The most Brief Psychotic Disorder symptoms include is delusions, hallucinations, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, or disorganized speech. Hallucinations involve experiencing sensations that have no corresponding objective reality. Hallucinations can occur in various forms that parallel the human senses. Visual hallucinations involve the sense of sight, or "seeing things." Auditory hallucinations generally involve hearing voices, and are the most common of the hallucinations. Delusions are also a classic psychotic feature. These are false beliefs that the person refuses to give up, even in the face of contradictory facts. Delusions are strongly held irrational and unrealistic beliefs that are extremely difficult to change, even when the person is exposed to evidence that contradicts the delusion. Catatonic behavior or catatonia involves both possible extremes related to movement. Catalepsy is the motionless aspect of catatonia-a person with catalepsy may remain fixed in the same position for hours on end. Rapid or persistently repeated movements, frequent grimacing and strange facial expressions, and unusual gestures are the opposite end of the catatonia phenomenon. Peculiar speech is also seen in some cases of brief psychotic disorder.

Causes of Brief Psychotic Disorder

Common Causes and Risk factors of Brief Psychotic Disorder

• Genetic vulnerability to brief psychotic disorder.
• Schizophrenia.
• Stress.
• Postpartum psychosis.
• Cultural factor.
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits, energy level, or weight.
• Confusion
• Inability to make decisions

Signs and Symptoms of Brief Psychotic Disorder

Sign and Symptoms of Brief Psychotic Disorder

• Delusions.
• Hallucinations.
• Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior.
• Disorganized speech

Treatment of Brief Psychotic Disorder

Common Treatment of Brief Psychotic Disorder

• Group Therapy: These meetings are somewhat like a support group session, allowing patients to share coping strategies. The meetings are run by medical staff.
• Individual Therapy: This is a time for you to meet alone with your therapist to discuss ways of dealing with the illness.
• Family Meetings: In these sessions, medical staff will prepare you and your family for your return home.
• Antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed to decrease or eliminate the symptoms and end the brief psychotic disorder. Conventional antipsychotics include: Thorazine, Prolixin, Haldol, Navane, Stelazine, Trilafon and Mellaril. Newer medications, called atypical antipsychotic drugs, include: Risperdal, Clozaril, Seroquel, Geodon and Zyprexa. Tranquilizers such as Ativan or Valium may be used if the person has a very high level of anxiety (nervousness) and/or problems sleeping
• Psychotherapy helps the person identify and cope with the situation or event that triggered the disorder.
• Electroconvulsive (e-LEK-tro-kun-VUL-siv) Therapy. It known as ECT or shock therapy, it applies a mild electric current to the brain. Although the treatment temporarily disrupts the memory, full recall typically returns within 2 weeks.