Brief Psychotic Disorder

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on December 20, 2024
6 min read

Brief psychotic disorder is a mental health condition in which psychotic symptoms come on suddenly but last only for a short time — less than one month. After that, people usually recover completely.

There are three basic forms of brief psychotic disorder:

Brief psychotic disorder with obvious stressors (also called brief reactive psychosis). This type happens shortly after a trauma or major stress, such as the death of a loved one, an accident, assault, or a natural disaster. It's usually a reaction to a very disturbing event.

Brief psychotic disorder without obvious stressors. With this type, there is no apparent trauma or stress that triggers it.

Brief psychotic disorder with postpartum onset. This type usually happens within four weeks of having a baby.

Schizophrenia is a mental condition that affects how a person experiences reality. People with schizophrenia think, feel, and behave differently from others so much that it interferes with their daily function.

Brief psychotic disorder and schizophrenia share similar symptoms, such as:

  • Hallucinations (perceiving things that aren't really present)
  • Delusions (having strong and false beliefs despite facts suggesting otherwise)
  • Difficulty thinking clearly

However, people with schizophrenia may also have other symptoms such as difficulty using and processing information, trouble focusing, loss of motivation or interest in everyday life, isolation, loss of social life, and difficulty expressing emotions.

Many people are diagnosed with schizophrenia when they are age 16 to 30, often after their first psychosis episode. On the other hand, brief psychotic disorder is typically diagnosed in people between 20 and 30 years of age. Plus, a doctor will likely diagnose brief psychotic disorder if symptoms last less than a month and schizophrenia if they extend beyond a month.

No one knows exactly what causes both conditions, but they share triggers such as major stress and traumatic events. Having a family history of psychotic disorders may make you prone to having either of the two conditions.

The most obvious ones include:

Hallucinations. Someone might hear voices, see things that aren't there, or feel sensations on their skin even though nothing is touching their body.

Delusions. These are false beliefs that someone refuses to give up, even in the face of facts.

Other symptoms are:

  • Disorganized thinking
  • Speech or language that doesn't make sense
  • Unusual behavior
  • Problems with memory
  • Disorientation or confusion
  • Changes in eating or sleeping habits, energy level, or weight
  • Not being able to make decisions

Experts don’t know what causes brief psychotic disorder. There may be a genetic link since the condition is more common in people who have a family history of psychotic or mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder.

Another theory suggests that poor coping skills could trigger the disorder as a defense mechanism or an escape from a very frightening or stressful situation.

In most cases, the disorder is triggered by a major stress or traumatic event. Childbirth can be a trigger for some people.

Brief psychotic disorder is rare. It usually happens for the first time when people are in their 20s or 30s, and it’s more common in women and people assigned female at birth than in men and people assigned male at birth.

People who have a condition such as antisocial personality disorder or paranoid personality disorder are more likely to get it.

If you have symptoms, your doctor may take your medical and psychiatric history, conduct a brief physical exam, and order blood tests or urine tests to rule out other causes, such as substance use and other psychiatric, medical, or neurological conditions. Sometimes, a doctor might also order a brain imaging study (such as an MRI) if they think there may be an abnormality in brain structure based on the physical exam.

If your doctor finds no obvious physical explanation for the symptoms, they may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist. These mental health professionals use specially designed interview and assessment tools to check for a psychotic disorder.

Key factors considered for diagnosing brief psychotic disorder include:

  • Risk factors of the condition
  • Have at least one positive psychotic symptom lasting more than a day but less than a month
  • Symptoms not happening from using a substance or drug
  • Symptoms not caused by a medical condition

Your doctor may also check if you’re pregnant, recently gave birth, or have experienced recent stress or trauma.

After being diagnosed with brief psychotic disorder, you will probably get medication to treat psychotic symptoms and possibly also psychotherapy (a type of counseling). You may need to be hospitalized for a time if your symptoms are severe or if you might harm yourself or someone else. The earlier the treatment, the better the outcome. Treatment may include:

Medication. Your doctor might prescribe antipsychotic medications to ease or stop symptoms and end the brief psychotic disorder.

Psychotherapy. This is a type of counseling, or “talk therapy,” which aims to help the person identify and handle the situation or event that triggered the disorder.

The FDA hasn’t approved any medicines specifically to treat brief psychotic disorder. Doctors often prescribe antipsychotics that are used to treat schizophrenia. These include:

Newer medications, which doctors call “atypical antipsychotic” drugs, include:

If you are also very anxious or have problems with sleep, your doctor may prescribe tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan).

Brief psychotic disorder, by definition, lasts for less than a month, after which most people recover fully. 

It’s rare, but for some people, it may happen more than once. 

If symptoms last for more than six months, doctors may consider whether you have schizophrenia.

Brief psychotic disorder cannot be prevented, as experts are yet to figure out what causes it. However, if you have risk factors, such as stress and personality disorders, getting immediate medical help from your doctor or therapist may help reduce your chances.

Even if you end up having brief psychotic disorder, an early diagnosis and treatment can help get your life, family, and other relationships back on track as quickly as possible.

Brief psychotic disorder is a mental illness that lasts for less than a month and, in most cases, never returns. If you have it, you may have symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. The exact cause isn’t clear, but it may be triggered by significant stress or a traumatic event. Treatment usually involves medicines and psychotherapy to improve symptoms and make them go away.

Is brief psychotic disorder serious?

Yes, brief psychotic disorder is a serious mental health condition that can cause distressing symptoms and affect your ability to participate in everyday life.

Can someone with psychosis live a normal life?

Yes, people with psychosis can live a normal life as long as they follow their treatment plan and have a strong support system.