273 Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder

DSM-IV-TR criteria

• A. Prominent hallucinations or delusions. Note: Do not include hallucinations if the person has insight that they are substance induced.
• B. There is evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings of either:
  • 1) the symptoms in Criterion A developed during, or within a month of, Substance Intoxication or Withdrawal, or
  • 2) medication use of is etiologically related to the disturbance.
• C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by a Psychotic Disorder that is not substance induced.
  • Evidence that the symptoms are better accounted for by a Psychotic Disorder that is not substance induced might include the following: the symptoms precede the onset of the substance use ( or medication use); the symptoms persist for a substantial period of time (e.g., about a month) after the cessation of acute withdrawal or severe intoxication, or are substantially in excess of what would be expected given the type or amount of the substance used or the duration of use; or there is other evidence that suggests the existence of an independent non-substance-induced Psychotic Disorder (e.g., a history of recurrent non-substance-related episodes).
• D. The disturbances do not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium.
• *Note: This diagnosis should be made instead of a diagnosis of Substance Intoxication or Substance Withdrawal only when the symptoms are in excess of those usually associated with the intoxicated or withdrawal syndrome and when the symptoms are sufficiently severe to warrant independent clinical attention.

Empirically supported Treatments

Once the person has become sober from their substance, the psychotic disorder disappears.

Drug therapy may be recommened due to the harmful effects of this disorder while intoxicated.

Behavioral therapy is recommended to help deal with underlying issues that play a role in the psychosis.