Brief Psychotic Disorder

What is brief psychotic disorder?

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. You may become very mean and be at risk of hurting yourself or others. The symptoms may or may not be related to a major stress in your life. Symptoms of 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. Early treatment may decrease how bad your symptoms become and may help you get better faster.

What causes brief psychotic disorder?

The cause of having brief psychotic disorder is not clear. Caregivers feel it may be caused by problems with how your brain works. The brain chemical dopamine helps your brain control your movement, thoughts, and how you feel. Brief psychotic disorder may happen when there is too much dopamine in your brain.

What increases my risk of having brief psychotic disorder?

• Age: People ages 20 to 30 are at higher risk of having a brief psychotic disorder.
  
  
• Family history: Having a close family member with a mental health problem may increase your risk of psychotic illness.
  
  
• Genetics: This is a make up of your genes. A gene is a little piece of information that tells your body what to do or what to make. Having certain genes may increase your risk for this condition.
  
  
• Postpartum: Females who have given birth in the last four weeks are at higher risk of having the disorder.
  
  
• Stress: This may come from a major life change or from your daily activities. Some major life changes include loss of a loved one, or moving to a new area. Stress may also be from facing a disaster, or being a victim of physical or sexual abuse.

What are the signs and symptoms of brief psychotic disorder?

Brief psychotic disorder may make you act out in different ways. You may have one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

• Delusions: You may believe that something is true or right when it is not. These false beliefs do not go away even if there is proof that they are not true. You may believe someone is spying on you, after you, or that people are controlling your mind. You may also believe there is something wrong with how your body works.
  
  
• Disordered speech: You may be talking about things that do not make sense. You may make up your own words or sounds, and move from one subject to another.
  
  
• Disorganized behavior: You may behave differently than you normally do. Your movements may become very slow and stiff. You may dress in strange clothing. You may have mood swings (being very happy one moment then very angry the next). You may find yourself suddenly screaming, or being very quiet and not talking at all. You may also have trouble remembering things.
  
  
• Hallucinations: You may see, hear, smell, feel, or taste things that are not really there. The most common hallucination is hearing voices. You may believe someone is telling you to do things or threatening you.

How is brief psychotic disorder diagnosed?

• Psychiatric assessment: Caregivers will ask if you have a history of psychological trauma, such as physical, sexual, or mental abuse. They will ask if you were given the care that you needed. Caregivers will ask you if you have been a victim of a crime or natural disaster, or if you have a serious injury or disease. They will ask you if you have seen other people being harmed, such as in combat. You will be asked if you drink alcohol or use drugs at present or in the past. Caregivers will ask you if you want to hurt or kill yourself or others. How you answer these questions can help caregivers decide on treatment. To help during treatment, caregivers will ask you about such things as how you feel about it and your hobbies and goals. Caregivers will also ask you about the people in your life who support you.
  
  
• Tests: Tests may need to be done to check for medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms. Your caregiver will assess your condition. He will look for any psychotic symptom present for at least one day but less than one month. The symptoms must go away completely within one month from the first time you had them. Your symptoms should not be caused by another mental health problem or a medical condition. It should not be due to side effects of a medicine or from substance abuse.

How is brief psychotic disorder treated?

• Medicines:
  
  
  • Antianxiety medicine: This medicine may be given to decrease anxiety and help you feel calm and relaxed.
    
    
  • Anti-depressants: These medicines are given to decrease or stop the symptoms of depression. Other behavior problems may also be treated with anti-depressants.
    
    
  • Anti-Parkinson: These medicines are also sometimes called side-effect pills. These may be given to control muscle stiffness, twitching, and shaking caused by anti-psychotic medicines.
    
    
  • Anti-psychotics: These may be given to help decrease psychotic symptoms or severe agitation (very tense and unable to relax). These medicines may also help stop your symptoms from coming back. Anti-psychotics may cause problems with how your body moves.
    
    
  • Mood stabilizers: These medicines help control quick changes in your mood that happen for no reason.
    
    
  • Sedative: This medicine is given to help you stay calm and relaxed.
  
  
• Therapies:
  
  
  • Cognitive behavior therapy: This therapy may help you to change your behavior. You may learn how to cope with your symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
    
    
  • Compliance therapy: This therapy looks at why you would not want to take your medicine or see your caregiver. Your caregiver will help you find ways to make it easier to do your treatments. You may be taught about your medicine and why you need to take your medicine on time. You may also get telephone calls and letters to help you remember your scheduled visits with your caregiver.
    
    
  • Family interventions: These visits let your family be part of your therapy. Meetings are set by your caregiver with your family. These may be done with all of your family together or with one person at a time. In these meetings your family learns about your condition, and they can talk about their concerns. Your family may learn ways they can help you manage your disease. They may also be given special training to help them cope and handle your condition.
    
    
  • Video recorded self-observation: Recording your behavior allows you to see yourself as others see you. This may help you be more aware of how you act and help you understand your illness better.

How can I help treat my brief psychotic disorder?

The following may help you feel better or prevent brief 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.

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your 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.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 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.

Where can I find more information?

Contact the following for more information:

• American Psychiatric Association
  1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825
  Arlington , VA 22209
  Phone: 1- 703 - 907
  Web Address: http://www.psych.org
  

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Public Information & Communication Branch
  6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
  Bethesda , MD 20892-9663
  Phone: 1- 301 - 443-4513
  Phone: 1- 866 - 615-6464
  Web Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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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.

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