Revisiting cycloid psychosis: A case of an acute, transient and recurring psychotic disorder

We report a case of recurrent psychosis, spanning decades, with full inter-episode recovery and minimal functional impairment. While it is difficult to classify this disorder using DSM IV-TR criteria, Leonhard and others have described a ‘cycloid psychosis’ that correlates well with the phenomenology and course of this case. We believe this may represent a subset within the ICD-10 category of ‘acute and transient psychotic disorders’. While this disorder, of unknown incidence, is not well reported in the U.S., it is worthy of further investigation and clinical attention given its generally favorable prognosis and potentially distinct pathophysiology and treatment.