Long-term course of acute reactive paranoid psychosis.

Abstract

A retrospective evaluation was made of the case records of 49 first-admission patients with acute reactive paranoid psychosis and of the subsequent follow-up almost 10 yr later, with special reference to clinical and social course and outcome. Ten of the 41 follow-up patients were diagnosed schizophrenic in the observation period and a further 5 fulfilled the Catego Class S+ at a PSE [Present State Examination] interview. Three patients were diagnosed affective psychosis and 1 fulfilled Class M? Three patients were diagnosed paranoid psychosis and 4 more fulfilled Class P+/P? while 6 patients had reactive psychosis relapses but were non-psychotic at follow-up. During the observation period the number of disabled pensioners increased from 3 to 21 and at follow-up only 7 patients were well-adjusted in their family and work. The need is stressed for valid predictors in the prognosis of acute paranoid psychoses with or without associated stressful life events.