The diagnostic criteria for Brief Psychotic Disorder include Presence of 1+ of the following: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior. This criterion is used for which disorder?

• A. Brief Psychotic Disorder
• B. Schizoid Personality Disorder
• C. Schizophrenia
• D. Delusional Disorder

Answer: (A)

These psychotic features—delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior—are the defining symptoms used to identify Brief Psychotic Disorder when they appear suddenly and are short-lived. The key here is duration: an episode that lasts at least one day but less than one month, with full return to the pre-episode level of functioning. This distinguishes it from other psychotic disorders that can share some symptoms but have a longer course or different pattern.

Schizoid Personality Disorder lacks true psychotic symptoms and is characterized by lifelong social detachment and restricted affect. Schizophrenia requires a longer course (at least six months) and includes a broader set of symptoms, such as prominent negative symptoms and functional impairment. Delusional Disorder features persistent delusions without prominent disorganized speech, disorganized behavior, or hallucinations, and overall functioning is not as broadly disrupted.

So the combination of these acute psychotic symptoms plus a brief duration specifically points to Brief Psychotic Disorder.