Brief Psychotic Disorder

Differential Diagnosis:
Disorder
Schizophreni
a

Duration
6
months

Rule In
- Equally
prevalent in
men and
women
- Delusion or
hallucination of
illness during
which for 2 or
more weeks in
the absence of
a major
(Delusion
persecutory)
- Level of
functioning
(work) has
been below the
level of
functioning
before

Rule Out
- Peak age in men is
25 years old
- Patient has no
familial tendency of
having
schizophrenia
- The 6-month period
must include at
least 1 month of
symptoms
- Paranoid type (late
20s to 30 s)
-

Schizophrenif
orm

During 1month period

Delusion
persecutory
Disorganized speech
Duration an episode
that lasts at least 1
month but less than 6
months
Men with
schizoaffective
disorder are likely to
exhibit antisocial
behavior
and to have a
markedly flat or
inappropriate affect
- Delusion or
hallucination of
illness during
which for 2 or
more weeks in
the absence of
a major

No hallucination
Grossly disorganized or
catatonic behavior
Negative symptoms
(diminished emotional
expression or avolition)

Schizoaffecti
ve

1 month

more than twofold female

to
male predominance
among individuals with
the depressed subtype of
schizoaffective
disorder

Delusional
Disorder

(Delusion
persecutory)
Men are more
likely to
develop
paranoid
delusions

Substance
related
disorders

Factitious
Disorder

Brief episode

Delirium

Abnormalities
of mood,
perception,
and behavior
are common
psychiatric
symptoms.
Sudden onset
Rapid
improvement
when the
causative
factor is
identified
Patient is
elderly ( 1% of
elderly persons
age 55 years or
older)
Precipitating
factor:
environmental:
prolong sleep
deprivation
Predisposing
factor: 65
years old and
older, male sex

Slight
preponderance in
female population

Patient currently
doesnt smoke and
only drinks a shot
or two of whisky or
up to three bottles
of beer on
occasions and
celebrations like
town fiestas
Psychiatric
symptoms are
intentionally done
There is no
evidence from the
history, physical
examination or
laboratory findings
that the
disturbance is a
direct consequence
of another medical
condition,
substance
intoxication or
withdrawal