The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is BEST used for which clinical purpose in psychiatry?

• A Diagnosing schizophrenia in the outpatient setting
• B Screening for personality disorders
• C Measuring suicidal intent after a self-harm episode
• D Monitoring treatment response and severity of psychopathology in psychotic patients over time ✓

Explanation

The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is an observer-rated scale covering 18–24 items across five domains (positive symptoms, negative symptoms, affective symptoms, anxiety, and disorganisation). It is used primarily to monitor treatment response and track change in psychopathology severity in psychotic patients over time, not for diagnostic purposes. The PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) is an expanded version for detailed schizophrenia evaluation. For suicidal intent, the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS) or Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is used. Personality screening uses instruments like PDQ-4 or PID-5.

Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.