Brief Psychotic Disorder

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Brief psychotic disorder is a mental illness in which you have psychotic (loss of reality) symptoms. You may not know what is real and what is not real. Symptoms of a brief psychotic disorder come on suddenly and last for one month or less. You will return to your normal state of mind once the symptoms are gone. It may or may not be related to a major stress in your life. Brief psychotic disorder may happen after the loss of a loved one or after a mental trauma. It may also appear within four weeks of giving birth to your baby. You may become very mean and be at risk of hurting yourself or others.
  
  
• The cause of having a brief psychotic disorder is not clear. Caregivers feel it may be caused by problems with how your brain works. Causes may include genetics or having family members with the same condition. It may also be caused by stress or an increase in the brain chemical dopamine. Your caregiver will look for any psychotic symptoms present for at least one day but less than one month. Treatment may include medicines for psychosis, depression, side effects, mood, and special forms of therapy.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Medicine monitoring:

• Caregivers will watch how you respond to your medicines. Sometimes the kind and amount of medicines you use may need to be changed. The goal is for the medicines to work well, and have the least amount of side effects. You and your caregiver will talk about how long you may need to use each of your medicines.
  
  
• You may need tests to check how much medicine is in your blood, or how well it is working. Caregivers use the results of these tests to decide the medicine and dose that is right for you. You may need to have these tests more than once.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Self-care:

The following may help you feel better or prevent psychotic disorder from coming back:

• Avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol can cause sleep problems, depressed feelings, and increase stress.
  
  
• Education: Learn more about brief psychotic disorder. Read about it so you can learn what you can do to help your disease. The more you know about your condition, the better you can cope with it.
  
  
• Exercise: Regular exercise can help decrease stress. Talk to your caregiver before you start exercising. Together you can plan the best exercise program for you. It is best to start slowly and do more as you get stronger. Exercise may also make your heart stronger, lower blood pressure, and keeps you healthy.
  
  
• Medicines: Always take your medicines as directed by your caregivers. Do not quit taking your medicines until you talk with your caregiver. Taking too much medicine can also cause serious health problems.
  
  
• Stop illegal drug use: You should not take illegal or street drugs. If you take illegal or street drugs, talk to your caregiver about getting help to stop.
  
  
• Stress: It is not easy to avoid stress so you must learn to control it. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing, meditation, relaxing your muscles, music, or biofeedback. Talk to someone about the things that upset you.
  
  
• Warning signs: Knowing the early signs of psychosis will help you know when to get help right away.
  
  
  • How you think, feel, and see things has changed.
    
    
  • You are becoming more nervous and upset, but do not know why.
    
    
  • You are not doing well at work.
    
    
  • You have little or no interest in your friends.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You are not sleeping well or sleep more than usual.
  
  
• You are having side effects from your medicine, or they are not helping.
  
  
• You have muscle spasms, stiffness, or trouble walking.
  
  
• You have new symptoms since you last saw your caregiver.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You cannot move your eyes.
  
  
• You feel very upset, threaten someone, or you feel violent. This may include talking loudly or shouting, or becoming very demanding (telling others what to do).
  
  
• You feel like hurting or killing yourself or others.
  
  
• You feel that your condition is getting worse.
  
  
• You suddenly have trouble breathing.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Brief Psychotic Disorder (Aftercare Instructions)