Which statement describes relapse rates in Brief Psychotic Disorder?

Which statement describes relapse rates in Brief Psychotic Disorder?

• A. Prodromal/Residual Periods in Schizophrenia
• B. Psychotic Symptoms in Response to Stress
• C. More than 50% of individuals experience a relapse
• D. Less than 50% will change to schizophrenia, affective disorder, or other psychotic disorder

Answer: (C)

Relapse after a brief psychotic episode is not uncommon. Brief Psychotic Disorder involves sudden onset of one or more psychotic symptoms lasting at least 1 day but less than 1 month, with complete return to premorbid functioning. However, longitudinal data show that recurrence is fairly common, with estimates often exceeding half of patients experiencing another episode or transitioning to a different psychotic disorder over time. That makes describing relapse as more than 50% the best fit for the broader course of the condition. The other statements don’t capture relapse patterns: prodromal/residual periods are features more typical of schizophrenia-spectrum illnesses; psychotic symptoms in response to stress describe triggers rather than relapse frequency; and saying less than 50% convert to schizophrenia or another disorder underestimates the recurrence risk seen in follow-up studies.

Relapse after a brief psychotic episode is not uncommon. Brief Psychotic Disorder involves sudden onset of one or more psychotic symptoms lasting at least 1 day but less than 1 month, with complete return to premorbid functioning. However, longitudinal data show that recurrence is fairly common, with estimates often exceeding half of patients experiencing another episode or transitioning to a different psychotic disorder over time. That makes describing relapse as more than 50% the best fit for the broader course of the condition. The other statements don’t capture relapse patterns: prodromal/residual periods are features more typical of schizophrenia-spectrum illnesses; psychotic symptoms in response to stress describe triggers rather than relapse frequency; and saying less than 50% convert to schizophrenia or another disorder underestimates the recurrence risk seen in follow-up studies.