Brief reactive psychosis: a psychodynamic interpretation.

The diagnosis "brief reactive psychosis" leaves little implied in the way of etiology or treatment approach. Three case histories are presented to illustrate the term, followed by brief summaries of the major dynamics involved. The older diagnostic term "hysterical psychosis" is discussed, and a parallel is drawn between this form of brief reactive psychosis and others so that they may be psychodynamically understood and that treatment may be rationally based upon this model.