Acute psychotic disorders with a short duration and a generally good prognosis have long intrigued psychiatrists. Although they are included in internationally accepted diagnostic systems, our understanding of these disorders remains at a minimal level. This book is the first comprehensive overview of their clinical features, biology, course and long-term effects. The authors also address their nosological status and impact on our understanding of the continuum of psychotic and affective disorders. Contents Part I. History and Concepts: 1. Psychiatric sculptors and psychiatric sculptures: the unformed clay and Kraepelin's vision; 2. Concepts and synonym; Part II. Studies and Findings: 3. Studies on brief and acute psychoses; 4. Frequency and sociobiographic characteristics of acute and transient psychotic disorders (ATPD) and brief psychoses (BP); 5. The clinical features of the acute episode; 6. Treatment; 7. The longitudinal course; 8. The long-term outcome; 9. Suicidal behaviour; 10. Comorbidity and somatic findings; Part III. Issues of Nosology: 11. Defining the brief, acute and transient psychotic disorders: the polymorphic psychotic core; 12. What are brief, acute and transient psychotic disorders?; 13. Brief polymorphic psychoses as a component of a psychotic continuum; Appendix; References; Index. Reviews "This is an interesting and informative book on a topic that heretofore has not been sufficiently addressed. This book is a step in that direction." Doody's Review Service "This book brings a wealth of information...an authoritative source of information for researchers and clinicians who are seriously interested in learning about these ephemeral clinical states that challenge researchers and clinicians alike." Rudra Prakash, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry |