Is There Such a Thing as Temporary Schizophrenia?
Drug-induced psychosis is a rampant and unfortunate issue. Those who endure it experience symptoms similar to schizophrenia, which can be temporary in some cases. It's important to understand that psychosis can be episodic and may remit, but this does not change the core psychiatric structure of an individual. Treating patients with respect for their inherent characteristics is crucial to avoid iatrogenic violence.References:
Basaglia, Franco. (1974). Psychiatric Violence and the Iatrogenic Process.Psychotic Episodes vs. Schizophrenia
Not all cases of temporary psychosis can be accurately categorized as schizophrenia. The diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia are clear: either you have a psychotic mental structure, or you don’t. However, what you might be referring to are "psychotic episodes," which occur when a person is experiencing a "psychotic break." A "psychotic break" can involve hallucinations and delusional behavior, but a schizophrenic in a non-active state is still considered to have schizophrenia or to be experiencing psychosis, albeit with less apparent symptoms.According to Keith Roberts, being a mental health professional, not everyone experiences psychotic breaks equally. He elucidates the differences between acute and chronic conditions, shedding light on the commonality of temporary psychosis due to drug use or medical conditions, as well as the rarer occurrence of psychotic episodes stemming from psychiatric disorders.
Understanding Psychotic Episodes
Temporary psychosis, defined as an episode resolving in less than 30 days, can be caused by a variety of factors, including drug use or an underlying medical condition. A smaller percentage of cases arise from psychiatric disorders, with some potentially leading to chronic psychotic conditions like schizophrenia. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) recognizes brief psychotic disorder, a condition lasting less than one month, with or without a known stressful trigger.The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) includes Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorder (ATPD), along with various sub-categories such as cycloid psychosis. Limited research has been conducted on ATPD, a rare disorder seen in only about 8% of nonaffective psychotic disorders. Dr. Oliver Freudenreich offers valuable insights into this condition through a talk available on Vimeo and YouTube.