A Guide to Mental Illness - Brief Psychotic Disorder

DESCRIPTION

Brief psychotic disorder is a short term illness with psychotic symptoms. These symptoms come on quite suddenly and can last for less than a month. After this month the sufferer recovers completely. There are three main forms of brief psychotic disorder; brief reactive psychosis, brief psychotic disorder without obvious stressor and brief psychotic disorder with postpartum onset. ^[1] Some researchers think that brief psychotic disorder could be a warning as to longer term psychotic illnesses that could occur later in life. ^[2]

CAUSES

Brief reactive psychosis normally occurs after a stressful event such as an accident. Brief psychotic disorder without obvious stressor is where there is no clear cause as to why it has occured and Brief psychotic disorder with postpartum onset can occur in women after childbirth. ^[1] It could be related to stress, as when someone is severely stressed they may experience brief psychotic episodes. ^[2]

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms are quite similar to the symptoms of schizophrenia- illogical thinking, speaking gibberish, abnormal behaviour, memory loss, confusion, changes in eating and sleeping habits and a lack of decision making skills. ^[1] It can include hallucinations and delusions and strange, or lack of body movements. ^[2] A sufferer may also experience learning difficulties, hyperactivity, times of extreme happiness or times of depression. ^[3]

PREVALENCE AND SUSCEPTIBILITY

Brief psychotic disorder is uncommon but occurs at early adulthood (in the twenties & thirties). It is a lot more common in women than it is in men and people with personality disorders have an even higher chance of developing the disorder. ^[1] Brief psychotic disorder is tenfold higher in developing countries than in industrialised countries according to statistics. Some researchers believe the disorder occurs more often in people from poor backgrounds. ^[4]

TREATMENT

The disorder is treated through medication and therapy. Antipsychotic drugs are normally prescribed to get rid of the symptoms and sedatives may be administered to help anxiety and problems sleeping. The medication helps the person's thinking and so improves their behaviour. Therapy helps the person deal with the event that triggered the disorder thus helping them overcome it. ^[1]

SOURCES