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.
Juliet Cohen writes health articles for health diseases and disorders. She also writes articles on women beauty tips.
