ACUTE AND TRANSIENT PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

ACUTE AND TRANSIENT PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

These are psychotic disorders characterized by an abrupt (less than 48 hours) or and acute (2 weeks or less) onset of symptoms.  Most of them are precipitated by a visible stress like bereavement but they can occur even if there are no evident stresses.

Types:

a.  Acute polymorphic psychotic disorders without symptoms of schizophrenia: The symptom – complex includes all types of perpetual, volitional and thought disturbances as well affective symptoms but they change rapidly within hours or days. Polymorphic and unstable.

b.   Acute Schizophrenia – like psychotic disorder: The symptoms resemble those of schizophrenia and are relatively stable.

c. Acute polymorphic psychotic disorder with symptoms of schizophrenia: The symptoms of schizophrenia are more stable and persist most of the time.