Acute psychosis is a suddenly emerged and rapidly growing psychosis in the form of disturbance of consciousness, delirium, hallucinations and psychomotor agitation.

Such a psychotic disorder may be associated with stress such as loss, violence, imprisonment, mental anguish, defatigation, for instance during long waiting, exhausting journey. Acute psychosis may also occur in cases of poisoning by certain chemicals and severe infectious diseases.

Acute psychosis is characterized by acute development of delirium, hallucinations, incoherent speech. After a short initial period with symptoms of  anxiety, insomnia and confusion, there is a sharp picturesque delusion with rapid changes in the structure of the delusion. Acute psychosis lasts from one to two weeks.

Acute psychotic states are classified as follows:

• Acute polymorphic psychotic disorder without symptoms of schizophrenia
• Acute polymorphic psychotic disorder with symptoms of schizophrenia
• Acute schizophrenia-like psychotic disorder
• Other acute predominantly delusional psychotic disorders

Acute psychosis may be with or without associated acute stress.

Therapy

Usually a patient with acute psychosis is prescribed detoxication therapy and neuroleptics in an average or sometimes highest dose. Typical combinations are chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and haloperidol, haloperidol and triftazine or a combination of one of the classic neuroleptics and tranquilizers. Due to the high risk of recurrent psychosis, the patient should receive maintenance doses of neuroleptics for some time after hospital release (2-3 weeks), usually in the evening.