Brief Psychotic Disorder is not common and its incidence varies greatly between populations. In general, it is more common amongst people under a lot of stress. For example, immigrants, refugees, and victims of natural disasters. Another important factor is the country in which the person resides. According to the World Health Organization, people in developing countries are ten times more likely to have BPD than those in developed countries. Incidence is also higher amongst women and people with personality disorders.

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A sudden and temporary display of psychotic behavior, and can be triggered by extreme stress and trauma. This episode lasts less than a month, and is followed by complete remission, though future relapses are possible. 

Brief psychotic disorder

Stephen, A., &amp; Lui, F. (2022, December 22). Brief Psychotic Disorder. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539912/#:~:text=Brief%20psychotic%20disorder%20(BPD)%20according,the%20duration%20of%20the%20psychosis.

NIH: Brief Psychotic Disorder

Symptoms include:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganized speech
- Catatonic/Disorganized behavior

Symptoms end within a month and can be treated with antipsychotic medications.

To be diagnosed with BPD one needs to:
- Have at least one positive psychotic symptom (one of the ones in the list above);
- Have been experiencing the symptom for more than a day but less than a month.

It is also important to make sure the patient does not suffer from another condition that can have led to the listed psychotic symptoms.

Symptoms of Brief Psychotic Disorder

The cause of Brief Psychotic Disorder is still being studied but it seems to be due to a stressful or traumatic event in the patient's life. Such traumatic onsets can vary, and some examples include:
- If someone experiences an extremely stressful event that anyone would find traumatic, that is considered a marked stressor. Examples include: death, natural disasters, time in the military, and immigration. These patients are considered to have brief reactive psychosis.
- On the other hand, if their symptoms begin without marked stressors, they're considered to have brief psychotic disorder.
- Brief psychotic disorder can also stem from giving birth. In this case, symptoms would be present within the four weeks postpartum.

However, genetic, neurological, or environmental components may also play a role in the development of BPD.

Causes of Brief Psychotic Disorder

Incidence of Brief Psychotic Disorder

Even though there aren't any specific tests used to diagnose BPD, others can be used to eliminate presence of other conditions. These can include:
- Serum pregnancy test in women;
- Urine toxicology tests to determine if the person is using drugs or medication;
- CT and MRI scans of the brain;
- ECG, electrolytes, glucose level, liver function tests, thyroid function tests, and urinalysis.

A diagnosis can only be established if symptoms have ended after one month. However, within that month, a clinician might diagnose the patient with a general psychotic disorder before giving a final diagnosis, as symptoms may change.

Diagnosing Brief Psychotic Disorder

Nowadays, BPD is mainly treated through pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Treatment usually begins with prescribing second-generation antipsychotics. It is recommended that the patient continues taking such medication for up to three months after symptoms end. Even though second-generation antipsychotics are usually used to treat BPD, first-generation antipsychotics and benzodiazepines can also be used. The type of drug prescribed will depend on the patient's profile and side-effects. In addition to pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy is also essential as psychotic symptoms can lead to challenges in one's life and their relationship with others. This form of treatment emphasizes working on managing symptoms that came with or due to BPD, developing coping skills, and encouraging social interaction. This form of treatment should be long-term to avoid relapses.

Treating Brief Psychotic Disorder

Based on DSM-5 criteria, symptoms of Brief Psychotic Disorder end within one month of onset. However, if the patient is also diagnosed with other disorders that also involve psychosis, symptoms may last longer. Aside from that, the patient can also experience another traumatic experience that can lead to BPD again. Hence, the prognosis for patients that do not have family members with psychotic disorders, do not live in a stressful environment, and have not been diagnosed with another disorder is more promising.

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