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Transitory psychotic disorder: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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Transient psychotic disorder manifests itself as delusions, hallucinations or other psychotic symptoms lasting more than 1 day, but less than 1 month, with a possible return to normal premorbid functioning. It usually develops due to severe stress in susceptible people.
A short psychotic disorder occurs infrequently. Premorbid personality disorders (eg, paranoid, narcissistic, schizotypic, borderline) predispose to its development. Severe stress, such as the loss of a loved one, can provoke a disease. This disorder is manifested by at least one psychotic symptom: delirium, hallucinations, disorganization of speech or grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior. The diagnosis of this disorder is not exhibited if the symptoms more correspond to psychotic mood disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, somatic disease, side effects of drugs (discharged or illegal). The differential diagnosis between transient psychotic disorder and schizophrenia in a patient without any previous psychotic symptoms is based on the duration of the symptomatology: if the duration exceeds 1 month, the case does not meet the criteria of the transitional psychotic disorder.
Treatment is the same as with exacerbation of schizophrenia; it is possible to recommend observation and therapy with antipsychotics for a short period.