Abnormal experience reaction with psychotic symptoms
Takahashi, T.; Eguchi, K.; Kato, M.; Ota, H.; Ueki, H.
Seishin Shinkeigaku Zasshi 100(5): 312-321
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2658 PMID: 9695689 Document Number: 493407
Many psychoses following recent and apprehensible psycho-traumatic experiences last a short period of time, from a few days to weeks, very rarely a few months. They heal without traces of residual mental disorders. These psychoses are known as acute and transient psychotic disorders (ICD-10) or as brief psychotic disorder (with marked stressors)(DSM-IV). However, in these definitions the relation between symptomatic content, lapse of time, and life experience was disregarded. Five cases were observed, of which one evolved into a paranoid-hallucinatory state, one in a manic state, and three in stupor. These psychotic episodes reflected the patients' internal experiences and pains: professional failure, language difficulties (abroad), fear of violent spouse, death of parent, etc. When the patients were separated from these traumatic situations, or treated in the hospital, they became immediately calmer. After healing all recognized the connection between their psychotic episodes and life experiences, however they could not remember details. In conclusion, these cases cannot be regarded as endogenous psychoses, but as reactions to abnormal events.