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Brief Psychotic Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Published: August 10, 2021
Published: 08/10/2021
Headshot of Renee Skedel, LPC
Written by:

Renee Skedel

LPC
Headshot of Naveed Saleh, MD, MS
Reviewed by:

Naveed Saleh

MD, MS
  • What Is Brief Psychotic Disorder?Definition
  • Types of Brief Psychotic DisorderTypes
  • Symptoms of Brief Psychotic DisorderSymptoms
  • What Causes Brief Psychotic Disorder?Causes
  • Treatment for Brief Psychotic DisorderTreatment
  • Final Thoughts on Brief Psychotic DisorderConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Headshot of Renee Skedel, LPC
Written by:

Renee Skedel

LPC
Headshot of Naveed Saleh, MD, MS
Reviewed by:

Naveed Saleh

MD, MS

Brief psychotic disorder (BPD) is a sudden onset of at least one psychotic symptom that lasts from one day to one month.1,2 Psychotic symptoms include severely disorganized or catatonic-type behavior, hallucinations, delusions, and incoherent speech or thought.1,2 Treatments for brief psychotic disorder include individual therapy, family or group therapy, and psychotropic medications.

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What Is Brief Psychotic Disorder?

The American Psychological Association (APA) classifies BPD as a “thought disorder” that presents as an abrupt, abnormal appearance of psychosis. Individuals can have more than one experience of BPD, but to meet criteria, symptoms must last no longer than one month or be better explained by physical health issues, substance use/withdrawal, or other mental health diagnoses.1,2,3,4 Although there are outliers, BPD is most commonly seen in teenagers and young adults.2

What Is a Psychotic Break?

While individuals who experience brief psychotic disorder may be considered to have experienced a psychotic break, that’s not always the case. Psychotic breaks can be diagnosed in conjunction with a number of issues, including psychosis related to substance use or misuse, physical health issues, or in individuals who may later be diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.2,5,6,7

Additionally, psychotic breaks may not be as abrupt as brief psychotic disorder. In some cases, individuals who experience a “break” may have worsening symptoms that don’t fall within the one month limitation of BPD.

Types of Brief Psychotic Disorder

Brief psychotic disorder is defined by the abrupt appearance of psychotic symptoms and the symptoms or environments in which an individual presents. Different types of BPD can influence how the individual is treated or monitored. Each presents with different levels of severity that professionals use to determine risk.4
Three types of brief psychotic disorder are:

  • Brief reactive psychosis: This type is also referred to as a psychotic disorder with noted stressors.4 It can be seen following an event or a series of events/stressors that could overwhelm someone’s ability to cope
  • Brief psychotic disorder without noted stressors: This type can be seen with no noted influence from a stressor or series of events that would overwhelm most people’s ability to cope4
  • Brief psychotic disorder postpartum type: This type can be seen during an individual’s pregnancy or during the four weeks following delivery of a child4

Symptoms of Brief Psychotic Disorder

To be diagnosed with a brief psychotic disorder, individuals have to present with only one symptom. However, each symptom presents a high level of risk.4

Symptoms of brief psychotic disorder include:3,4

  • Hallucinations (auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory, taste)
  • Delusions (untrue beliefs that cannot be challenged, such as delusions of grandeur)
  • Disorganized speech or thought process (difficulty staying on topic or difficulty speaking clearly)
  • Disorganized behavior (difficulty staying engaged in conversation or behavior or difficulty engaging in clear or appropriate behavior)
  • Catatonic behavior (not engaging in environment, highly reduced interaction or response, minimal to no speech, limited body movement)

What Causes Brief Psychotic Disorder?

Brief psychotic disorder has a number of potential contributors including stress or trauma or the existence of a personality or mood disorder.

Four potential causes of brief psychotic disorder include: 

  • Major stress or trauma. Although research is ongoing, this is a primary documented cause of BPD. There is evidence of increased presentation in individuals who have experienced natural disasters or in groups who may experience high stress, such as immigrants of some developing countries5,6
  • Genetics5
  • Childbirth6
  • A previous diagnosis of personality disorder or mood disorder. Studies suggest this may be brought on by a struggle to manage symptoms or build effective coping skills5

Treatment for Brief Psychotic Disorder

Certain BPD treatments can help reduce symptoms, teach coping mechanisms, and aid in the individual’s recovery. These treatments include individual and family or group therapy, medication, and, in severe cases, brief hospitalization.

Therapy

Therapy can be an effective treatment tool for individuals who are experiencing or have a history of brief psychotic periods. Types of therapy for BPD include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Cognitive enhancement therapy (CET)
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) 
  • Family and group therapy

Each of these therapies can help in different areas by teaching reality testing, symptom insight and awareness, as well as increasing rational thought connection skills. They can also help the patient accept emotions and thoughts and let them pass without a major increase in risk.8 Family and group therapy, in particular, increase communication surrounding concerns and symptom awareness. These interventions also help individuals create a support system of people who empathize with their situation.8 Choosing Therapy’s online directory is a great resource for finding a therapist.

Protect your emotional health with therapy. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

Medication

Medication is a more common, effective treatment for psychotic periods. While there is no medication made for brief psychotic disorder alone, a number of medications exist to treat short- or long-term psychosis. As such, they can help stabilize individuals experiencing BPD. For medication to be prescribed, whether in an emergency situation or long-term, it must be prescribed by a primary-care physician, psychiatrist, or nurse practitioner.5,8

Regarding psychosis, medication is primarily prescribed to help reduce symptoms, enhance one’s ability to distinguish reality from psychosis (i.e., reality testing), stabilize the individual’s mood, and reduce risk. In some cases, medication in the form of an injection or pill like lorazepam or haldol may also be used to calm the individual if they’re a risk to themselves or others.

Hospitalization & Outpatient

Although rarely discussed, an individual experiencing a psychotic episode, whether it is brief or related to their health, drug use, or so forth, may be hospitalized briefly to stabilize them, decrease their risk, and get treatment. If they are hospitalized, they will often receive medication and therapy. The hospital social worker will likely discuss outpatient treatment with them and their loved ones, depending on their support system.2

Whether an individual is hospitalized, community treatments can help stabilize patients with BPD, especially if they continue to have undiagnosed psychotic periods. Community-case management or coordinated care with a mental-health agency can help them receive assessment for their continued symptoms and potentially help them receive treatment, whether it is through therapy, medication, or other community resources. These types of treatment resources also help encourage people to stay on their medications, which is a major difficulty in psychosis-related disorders.8

Final Thoughts on Brief Psychotic Disorder

Brief psychotic disorder can be a scary and challenging condition, both for the individual who experiences it and their loved ones. Fortunately, options for help, support, and stabilization exist, especially in trauma-related situations. You are not alone on this journey. Whether it is you or a loved one who is struggling, check in with a therapist for help.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Talk Therapy 

Online-Therapy.com – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. Online-Therapy.com provides 45 minute weekly video sessions and unlimited text messaging with your therapist for only $64/week. Get started  Get Started

Virtual Psychiatry

Talkiatry Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with expert psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment in days. Free Assessment

Starting Therapy Newsletter

A free newsletter for those interested in learning about therapy and how to get the most benefits out of therapy. Get helpful tips and the latest information. Sign Up

DBT Skills Course

Jones Mindful Living Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a popular treatment for BPD. Learn DBT skills with live weekly classes and online video courses for only $19 per month. Free One Week Trial

Choosing Therapy Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty,  experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Jones Mindful Living, Online-Therapy.com, and Talkiatry.

For Further Reading

  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov
8 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • American Psychological Association. (2020). APA Dictionary of Psychology. https://dictionary.apa.org/brief-psychotic-disorder

  • Porter, D. (2014). Brief Psychotic Disorder DSM-5 298.8 (F23) – Therapedia. Theravive. https://www.theravive.com/therapedia/brief-psychotic-disorder-dsm–5-298.8-(f23)

  • PsychDB. (2021, May 16). Brief Psychotic Disorder. https://www.psychdb.com/psychosis/brief-psychotic-disorder

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5 (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.

  • Stephen, A., & Lui, F. (2021, March 24). Brief Psychotic Disorder. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539912/

  • Pfuhlmann, B., Stöber, G., Franzek, E., & Beckmann, H. (1998). Cycloid psychoses predominate in severe postpartum psychiatric disorders. Journal of Affective Disorders, 50(2–3), 125–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0165-0327(98)00107-4

  • Berger, R. D. G. K. S. A. C. (2015, June 15). Recognition and Differential Diagnosis of Psychosis in Primary Care. American Family Physician. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0615/p856.html

  • The Recovery Village. (2021, April 19). Treatment for Psychotic Disorders. The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab. https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/psychosis/treatment/

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Headshot of Renee Skedel, LPC
Written by:

Renee Skedel

LPC
Headshot of Naveed Saleh, MD, MS
Reviewed by:

Naveed Saleh

MD, MS
  • What Is Brief Psychotic Disorder?Definition
  • Types of Brief Psychotic DisorderTypes
  • Symptoms of Brief Psychotic DisorderSymptoms
  • What Causes Brief Psychotic Disorder?Causes
  • Treatment for Brief Psychotic DisorderTreatment
  • Final Thoughts on Brief Psychotic DisorderConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
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