Arthur, who is described in your textbook, suddenly experienced the delusion that he could save all the starving children in the world with a "secret plan." Because his symptoms lasted only a few days, what was his diagnosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Arthur's symptoms lasted only a few days, which is consistent with the diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder, which is characterized by the sudden onset of psychotic symptoms that last less than a month. The other options are less likely because they do not fit with the brief and acute nature of Arthur's symptoms. Schizotypal personality disorder is a long-term pattern of odd behavior and distorted thinking, and cocaine abuse would require ongoing drug use. Folie à deux is a rare disorder in which a person shares the delusions of another person, but this does not appear to be the case with Arthur based on the information given.

Arthur, Who Is Described in Your Textbook, Suddenly Experienced the Delusion