In Brief Psychotic Disorder as per DSM-5, which feature most reliably distinguishes it from Schizophreniform Disorder?

• A Presence of at least one positive symptom (hallucinations, delusions, disorganised speech)
• B Duration of disturbance less than 1 month with eventual full return to premorbid functioning ✓
• C Absence of a mood episode during the psychotic disturbance
• D Onset in direct response to a psychosocial stressor

Explanation

DSM-5 defines Brief Psychotic Disorder as lasting at least 1 day but less than 1 month, with full return to premorbid level of functioning. Schizophreniform Disorder requires 1–6 months duration. Both require at least one positive symptom (option A is a shared criterion, not distinguishing). Absence of a mood episode (option C) distinguishes both from schizoaffective disorder. A specifier 'with marked stressor' exists for Brief Psychotic Disorder, but its presence is not required (option D is not definitional).

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

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