Stressful Life Events in Onset of First Episode of Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorder

Abstract

Background: Acute and transient psychotic disorder (ATPD) characterized by acute onset of polymorphic psychotic symptomatology and rapid resolution. The aim of this study was to identify the role of stressful life events among patients with ATPD. Methods: The study included 50 patients attending psychiatric OPD and admitted patients in psychiatric wards, at a tertiary care center of Rajasthan, India who were clinically screened for acute and transient psychotic disorder. The patients, suggestive of suffering from ATPD, were thoroughly evaluated for the diagnosis by using ICD-10 criteria for the ATPD and the diagnosis confirmed by a consultant psychiatrist. All the participants were subjected to presumptive stressful life event scale (PSLE) for assessing the role of stressful life events among patients with ATPD. Results: Out of fifty patients, 58% were female and 42% were male. 82% patients were experienced stressful life events before the onset of first episode of acute and transient psychotic disorder. Female experience more stress in areas like death or illness of a family member, marriage or engagement, violence. Whereas male were experienced more stress in areas like marital and family conflicts, financial or occupational problem.Conclusion: Present study highlights that the stressful life events have substantial relationship with the onset of acute and transient psychotic disorder.