Epidemiology

Brief psychotic disorder (BPD) is estimated to occur in 0.1% to 0.5% of the general population, and it is diagnosed in 2% to 7% of individuals that present with first-episode psychosis.[6][7][8]​​ Most studies report that BPD occurs more frequently in women; however, this remains controversial and may not be true for developing countries.[6][7][8]​​[9]​​​ BPD is more common in developing countries and in people with a personality disorder.[9][10][11]

There are 3 types of BPD:

  1. With marked stressor(s): This type (formally called "brief reactive psychosis") is diagnosed when the psychotic symptoms occur in response to 1 or more events that would be considered markedly stressful to almost anyone in a similar situation in the individual’s culture.[1] The incidence of this type of BPD in US Air Force recruits was found to be 1.4 per 100,000 after basic military training; however, these data were not collected during wartime.[12] The incidence of this type of BPD in the US may have increased immediately after the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, although this is not known with any certainty. However, cases of BPD were reported in 2 individuals in northeastern US (far from New York), who experienced the attacks via media coverage.[13]

  2. Without marked stressor(s): This type is diagnosed when the psychotic symptoms do not seem to be in response to a stressful event.[1] The prevalence and incidence is unknown.

  3. With peripartum onset: This type is diagnosed when the psychotic symptoms occur during pregnancy or within 4 weeks postpartum.[1] It is estimated that 1 to 2 in 1000 women experience brief psychotic disorder with postpartum onset.[14][15]​ A psychiatric hospitalization before delivery is associated with a higher incidence of BPD postpartum (9.3%), as is exposure to stress before childbirth.[16][17]

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