Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology

Clinical psychiatry Epilepsy and brief psychosis: a case report

Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology 2013; 23: Supplement S149-S149
Keywords : psychosis, epilepsy
Read: 408 Published: 20 March 2021

Psychosis is characterized by loss or damage of contact with reality. Psychosis can occur spontaneously as well as secondary to an underlying organic disease. Determining objective signs of related illness and using appropriate laboratory techniques will help the management. We aimed to present a brief psychotic disorder case underlying organic pathology. Twenty one -year-old, male, patient. He was rarely fainting during childhood but no specific diagnosis was made. He had a traffic accident about 3 months ago and had symptoms such as dizziness, loss of consciousness but these symptoms did not persist and no abnormalities were found in brain imaging. Two months after, a clinical picture composed of disorganized speech and behavior was begun. He was hospitalized with psychotic symptoms. During hospitalization he was referred to our university hospital because his symptoms were being exacerbated. Antipsychotic treatment was initiated. Low intellectual level was observed and an IQ test (WAIS-R) score was 75. While fainting was described in the anamnesis neurology consultation has taken. EEG examination of the patient was defined as abnormal focal (left significant bitemporal slow, sharp waves) and sleep deprived EEG has shown generalized spike-wave paroxysms. He was diagnosed to have epilepsy and antiepileptic treatment was initiated. In the follow up period his psychotic symptoms began to improve rapidly and symptoms regressed completely. Especially in patients with intellectual deficiency, atypical and short-term psychotic symptoms should be evaluated for the presence of organic causes. Neurological symptoms and signs are important for the differential diagnosis and treatment.

EISSN 2475-0581