Diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of brief psychotic episodes: a review and research agenda

Paolo Fusar-Poli, Gonzalo Salazar de pablo, Ravi Philip Rajkumar, Álvaro López-Díaz, Savita Malhotra, Stephan Heckers, Stephen M Lawrie, Frank Pillmann

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)
1369 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Brief psychotic episodes represent an intriguing paradox in clinical psychiatry because they elude the standard knowledge that applies to the persisting psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. This Review describes key diagnostic considerations such as conceptual foundations, current psychiatric classification versus research-based operationalisations, epidemiology, and sociocultural variations; prognostic aspects including the risk of psychosis recurrence, types of psychotic recurrences, other clinical outcomes, prognostic factors; and therapeutic issues such as treatment guidelines and unmet need of care. The advances and challenges associated with the scientific evidence are used to set a research agenda in this area. We conclude that brief psychotic episodes can be reconceptualised within a clinical staging model to promote innovative translational research and improve our understanding and treatment of psychotic disorders.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)72-83
Number of pages12
JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry
Volume9
Issue number1
Early online date29 Nov 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2022

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