Cycloid Psychosis: Perris Criteria Revisited

Cases presenting with recurrent confusion, alteration of psychomotor activity, and brief psychosis with good inter-episode recovery have many differing etiologies. Only rarely does one diagnose such cases as cycloid psychosis. Even among budding psychiatrists, there seems to be a lack of awareness of this unique disorder. This may be because the present international diagnostic classification systems, ICD10 and DSM IV, do not recognize it as a separate entity. A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose cycloid psychosis. Awareness and recognizing such cases would be helpful clinically as cycloid psychosis entails a distinct prognosis and may require a specific treatment.