A 30-year-old man has a 4-week episode of persecutory delusions and auditory hallucinations following the sudden death of his father. Between onset and recovery there is full return to premorbid functioning with no ongoing symptoms at 6 weeks. The MOST accurate DSM-5 diagnosis is:

• A Schizophreniform disorder
• B Brief psychotic disorder ✓
• C Delusional disorder
• D Schizophrenia

Explanation

Brief psychotic disorder requires one or more positive psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech, or grossly disorganised behaviour), lasting at least 1 day but less than 1 month, with eventual full return to premorbid level of functioning. The presence of a marked stressor qualifies as 'with marked stressor' specifier. Schizophreniform disorder requires 1–6 months of illness. Schizophrenia requires ≥6 months. Delusional disorder involves non-bizarre delusions without hallucinations. This patient's 4-week episode with full recovery fits Brief psychotic disorder.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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