- F23
- Psychotic Disorders
Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorders (F23)
DSM-5-TR: Brief Psychotic Disorder / Schizophreniform Disorder
ICD-10-AM and DSM-5-TR may classify conditions differently. Refer to APA and WHO for complete diagnostic criteria.
Key Facts
- ICD-10 RangeF20-F29
- Subcodes6 subcodes
- Australian PrevalenceRelatively uncommon. More common in developing countries and in the context of acute stress.
- Global PrevalencePrevalence varies widely. Higher in developing countries. Female-to-male ratio approximately 2:1.
- Duration RequirementOnset within 2 weeks. Full recovery usually within 2-3 months, often within weeks or days.
Overview
A heterogeneous group of disorders characterised by the acute onset of psychotic symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, perceptual disturbances, and severe disruption of ordinary behaviour. Onset is defined as a crescendo development of a clearly abnormal clinical picture in about two weeks or less.
Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10)
Core Features
- Acute onset within 2 weeks or less
- Presence of typical psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, perceptual disturbance)
- Severe disruption of ordinary behaviour
- Often associated with acute stress
Duration Onset within 2 weeks. Full recovery usually within 2-3 months, often within weeks or days.
Exclusion Criteria
- Symptoms persist beyond 1-3 months (consider F20)
- Substance-induced psychosis (F10-F19)
- Organic psychotic disorder (F06)
ICD-10-AM Subcodes
| Code | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F23.0 | Acute polymorphic psychotic disorder without symptoms of schizophrenia | Rapidly changing, variable psychotic symptoms with emotional turmoil. |
| F23.1 | Acute polymorphic psychotic disorder with symptoms of schizophrenia | Polymorphic presentation with superimposed schizophrenic symptoms. |
| F23.2 | Acute schizophrenia-like psychotic disorder | Psychotic symptoms resembling schizophrenia but lasting less than one month. |
| F23.3 | Other acute predominantly delusional psychotic disorders | Acute psychosis with relatively stable delusions or hallucinations. |
| F23.8 | Other acute and transient psychotic disorders | Other specified acute psychotic presentations. |
| F23.9 | Acute and transient psychotic disorder, unspecified | Brief reactive psychosis NOS. |
Classification Boundaries
Includes
- Bouffée délirante
- Cycloid psychosis
- Brief reactive psychosis
Excludes1 (coded elsewhere)
- Schizophrenia (F20)
- Persistent delusional disorder (F22)
- Organic psychotic disorder (F06)
Australian Clinical Context
Acute psychotic presentations are managed through emergency departments and acute inpatient psychiatric units in Australia. Early psychosis services are available in most states.
Medicare (MBS) Pathways
Better Access to Mental Health Care
The primary Medicare pathway for mental health treatment in Australia. Requires a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) referral. Available for any clinically diagnosed mental disorder.
10 individual + 10 group sessions per calendar year
| Provider Type | MBS Items | Session Type |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | 80000–80025 | Psychological therapy (higher rebate) |
| Registered Psychologist | 80100–80123 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Occupational Therapist | 80125–80145 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Social Worker | 80150–80175 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Psychiatrist | 291, 296–299, 300–308 | Psychiatric consultation |
GP referral items: 2700, 2701, 2715, 2717
Eligibility: Any clinically diagnosed mental disorder as defined by WHO ICD-10 Chapter V. Requires a GP or psychiatrist referral.
Exclusions:
- Intellectual disability (use Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder pathway or specialist referral)
- Dementia and organic mental disorders (use specialist referral pathway)
- Tobacco use disorder
Acute episodes may require hospital-based care. Better Access applies for ongoing psychological treatment after stabilisation.
Grounded Scribe suggests the right MBS item codes from your recording so you can claim accurately without re-keying.
Reference information sourced from MBS Online (mbsonline.gov.au). Item availability, rebates, and eligibility criteria may change. This is not billing advice — always verify current items before claiming. Last verified: April 2026.
Clinical Documentation Notes
F23.2 maps to Schizophreniform Disorder in DSM-5-TR. Brief Psychotic Disorder (DSM-5-TR) corresponds to F23.0/F23.1. Document onset timing, precipitating stressors, and symptom course.
Related Assessment Tools
Other validated instruments commonly used alongside the Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorders (F23).
Related Diagnostic Codes
ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorders (F23).
References
- World Health Organization. ICD-10-AM.
- RANZCP. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Schizophrenia and Related Disorders.
- American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5-TR. 2022.
This tool calculates scores based on published guidelines for professional reference. It does not provide clinical diagnoses. Scores are provided as reference information only and should be interpreted by a qualified practitioner in the context of a comprehensive assessment.
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