What is a characteristic of a brief psychotic disorder?

A characteristic feature of brief psychotic disorder is the sudden onset of psychotic symptoms. This condition is marked by an abrupt appearance of symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, or grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, which can occur in response to a significant stressor or for no apparent reason at all.

The defining aspect of brief psychotic disorder is that the episode lasts for at least one day but less than one month, after which there is a full return to premorbid functioning. This points to the essential nature of the disorder being episodic and not chronic.

The other options highlight features that are not characteristic of brief psychotic disorder. For instance, symptoms lasting longer than one month would actually suggest a different diagnosis, possibly schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. Similarly, a gradual onset of symptoms is more aligned with other psychotic disorders, where symptoms develop over time rather than appearing suddenly. Finally, a permanent change in personality does not fit the nature of brief psychotic disorder, as it typically involves a temporary disturbance without resulting in lasting personality changes. Thus, the characteristic of sudden onset of psychotic symptoms accurately reflects the nature of brief psychotic disorder.