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Reactive psychosis (RP) is a trauma-induced category whose meaning has varied in relation to the role attributed to lived experiences or vulnerable personality. It has long been described in different countries, but seldom investigated under the influence of symptom-based psychiatric classifications. This article aims to examine the development of RP since the early 20th century, outline how it has been incorporated in modern diagnostic classifications, and set out empirical findings. It is likely that variations in terminology and diagnostic practice have affected estimates of the frequency and hampered the validity of RP in earlier studies. To enhance reliability, RP underwent several changes in successive Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and ICD versions and was eventually replaced with descriptive categories for short-lived psychotic disorders. Clinical observations during the COVID-19 pandemic attest the durability of RP, but the current categories prove unhelpful in identifying it and have failed to encourage research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The category of ‘acute and transient psychotic disorders’ (ATPDs) appeared in the ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders (ICD-10), but its distinctive features remain uncertain. Aim: To examine the course and outcome of ATPDs, pointing out differences from other types of psychosis. Methods: A one-year follow-up investigation of patients enrolled at the former World Health Organization (WHO) Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health in Aarhus (Denmark) for the WHO collaborative study on acute psychoses. Results: Of 91 patients aged 15–60 years presenting with acute psychosis, 47 (51.6%) were diagnosed with ATPD, and it occurred more commonly in females; yet, the other acute psychoses featured mainly mood disorders and affected equally both genders. After 1 year, the ATPD diagnosis did not change in 28 cases (59.6%); the remaining developed either affective psychoses (27.7%), or schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder (12.8%). Nearly, all patients with unchanged diagnosis of ATPD enjoyed full recovery, while those with other types of acute psychosis had significantly higher rates of recurrence or incomplete remission. Duration of illness within 4 weeks and stressful events in the 3 months before symptom onset predicted 1-year favourable clinical outcome for acute psychoses. Conclusion: Although ATPDs fared better over the short-term than other acute psychoses, their diagnostic stability is relatively low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]