Brief Psychotic Disorder Signs & Symptoms

Learn About Brief Psychotic Disorder

Brief psychotic disorder is a mental health disorder that is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and/or catatonic or grossly disorganized behaviors. At least one of the symptoms from the previous sentence must be present for a diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder. As indicated by the name of the disorder, the symptoms of brief psychotic disorder are not permanent; instead, episodes will last between one day and one month, after which the afflicted individual will return to his or her pre-symptomatic level of functioning.

People who have developed brief psychotic disorder are likely to experience significant emotional turmoil and/or confusion. Depending upon the severity of one’s symptoms, people who struggle with this disorder may require supervision and assistance to ensure that they do not harm themselves or others. Experts have identified a heightened risk of suicidal behavior among individuals who are in the midst of a brief psychotic episode, especially when experiencing acute symptoms.

Unfortunately, individuals who are not receiving proper professional care for brief psychotic disorder may abuse alcohol or another drug in a misguided attempt to alleviate their symptoms or numb themselves to the psychological pain that can result from this disorder. While some temporary respite may occur, engaging in substance abuse for purposes of self-medication will ultimately increase a person’s risk for several problems, including the worsening of the brief psychotic symptoms and the development of a substance use disorder.

With effective comprehensive treatment, a person can learn to overcome his or her dependence upon alcohol or other drugs while also getting the help that he or she needs to manage his or her brief psychiatric disorder.

Brief Psychotic Disorder Statistics

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), about 9 percent of first-onset psychosis cases involve brief psychotic disorder. The disorder, which may first appear during adolescence or adulthood, has an average age of first onset of 30. The APA also reports that brief psychotic disorder is twice as common among women as it is among men.

Causes and Risk Factors for Brief Psychotic Disorder

The following are among the causes and risk factors that can influence an individual’s likelihood of developing brief psychotic disorder:

Genetic: The APA has identified several heritable personality traits and disorders, including schizotypal personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, perceptual dysregulation, and suspiciousness, as potentially predisposing a person to the development of brief psychotic disorder.

Risk Factors:

• Being female
• Family history of brief psychotic disorder and/or other mental health disorders
• Certain personality traits and disorders
• Poor coping skills

Signs and Symptoms of Brief Psychotic Disorder

Depending upon the type and severity of symptoms that a person is experiencing, the following may indicate that he or she is dealing with brief psychotic disorder:

Behavioral symptoms:

• Incoherent speech
• Catatonia
• Severely disorganized behaviors

Cognitive symptoms:

• Confusion
• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Poor judgment
• Cognitive impairments

Psychosocial symptoms:

• Mood swings
• Emotional turmoil
• Suicidal behaviors

Effects of Brief Psychotic Disorder

A person who suffers from brief psychotic disorder but does not get proper treatment for this problem may experience several negative effects, including the following:

• Decreased quality of life
• Emotional turmoil and confusion
• Inability to meet one’s own nutritional and hygienic needs
• Onset or worsening of substance abuse
• Physical harm due to actions based on delusions
• Family discord
• Decline in occupational and/or academic performance
• Job loss and unemployment
• Social withdrawal
• Suicidal ideation