The brief psychotic disorder is a form of psychosis, a mental health condition. Today, we’ll discuss what is brief psychotic disorder; its symptoms, causes, and treatment.
What is Brief Psychotic Disorder?
A brief psychotic disorder comprises a sudden episode of psychotic behavior that lasts for less than one month. It’s after the complete remission, but there is a possibility that the patient would experience another episode of psychosis.
People with BPD conditions would suddenly start seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. They would exhibit strange and bizarre behavior and have got trouble functioning. Unlike other types of psychotic disorders, people with BPD need to take medicines regularly in order to keep away the symptoms, and the symptoms would go away within a month. Often, the symptoms would go away as they appear.
It could be a confusing and fearful experience for people with BPD condition and their loved ones. It would be very helpful if you have got a better understanding of the BPD.
Types of Brief Psychotic Disorder
Some of the main three types of brief psychotic disorders are as follows;
With Obvious Stressor
It also goes by the name of brief reactive psychosis, and it occurs shortly after a stressful and traumatic event like a natural disaster, assault, accident, or the death of a beloved person. Usually, it is a reaction to a very disturbing and difficult event.
Without Obvious Stressor
As the name implies, it’s a type of condition when there’s no stressful traumatic event that would trigger it
Due to Postpartum Episode
It happens only among females, and usually within a period of 4 weeks after the delivery of their baby.
Symptoms of Brief Psychotic Disorder
The symptoms of the brief psychotic disorder appear in the short term and get better within the period of one month. They’re very close to other types of psychotic disorders like schizophreniform disorder or schizophrenia, but the difference is that it gets better. However, some of the main symptoms of BPD condition are as follows;
- Delusions: believing in the false beliefs and refusing to give up on them even the true facts are before you
- Hallucinations: seeing things and hearing voices that aren’t there; feeling the sensation on your body when nothing is there on your skin
Some of the other symptoms of the BPD are as follows;
- Incapable of making the decision
- Changes in your weight, energy level, sleeping and eating habits
- Confusion or disorientation
- Problems and issues with your memory
- Unusual dress and behavior
- Language or speech that doesn’t make any sense
- Disorganized thinking
A BPD is a rare mental health condition, and it occurs first when you’re in your 20s and 30s. The condition is more common among females than males. However, people with paranoid personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder are more likely to develop this condition.
Causes of Brief Psychotic Disorder
Researchers don’t know the exact and precise cause for the development of the BPD. The condition is more common among people that have a history of mood and psychotic disorders like bipolar disorder and depression in their family. However, it shows that the condition is hereditary and has got ties with genetics.
Other studies have shown that poor managing skills would trigger conditions like running from a stressful and fearful situation and being defensive at it. Often, a very stressful and traumatic event would trigger the episode.
Diagnosis of Brief Psychotic Disorder
If a person is exhibiting the symptoms, your doctor would analyze your psychiatric and medical history, examine you physically; and ask for a urine test and blood test in order to rule out other conditions. Some doctors would recommend MRI scanning of your brain in order to study the abnormal structure pattern in the brain.
If your doctor couldn’t find any symptoms after the physical examination, then your doctor would recommend you to a psychologist. Your therapist would interview you with specifically designed questions in order to
Treatment of Brief Psychotic Disorder
The treatment plan for brief psychotic disorders comprises medication, therapy, or hospitalization in severe cases. If you start the treatment plan in the earlier stages, it would give you better results.
Medication
Your doctor would prescribe you antipsychotic medicines to treat the symptoms of BPD. Some of them are as follows;
- Thiothixene
- Thioridazine
- Trifluoperazine
- Perphenazine
- Loxapine
- Haloperidol
- Fluphenazine
- Chlorpromazine
Some of the latest medicines are as follows;
- Ziprasidone
- Risperidone
- Quetiapine
- Paliperidone
- Olanzapine
- Lurasidone
- Clozapine
- Brexpiprazole
- Asenapine
- Aripiprazole
Psychotherapy
The psychotherapeutic treatment comprises counseling and talks therapy. It focuses on helping a person recognize the triggering factor that would cause the development of the condition.
Conclusion: What is Brief Psychotic Disorder? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
After an in-depth study of what is brief psychotic disorder; its symptoms, causes, and treatment; we have realized that BPD could badly disturb your life. If you’re experiencing its symptoms, then you should consult with the therapist as soon as you can.
Ahsan is an accomplished researcher and has a deep insight in worldly life affairs. He goes Live 3 days a week on various social media platforms. Other than research writing, he’s a very interesting person.
