Wernicke's encephalopathy misdiagnosed as schizophrenia： a case report / 四川精神卫生

ABSTRACT

This article presents a case report of Wernicke's encephalopathy misdiagnosed as schizophrenia. The patient was hospitalized and diagnosed with schizophrenia at a local psychiatric hospital over a month ago. Twelve days ago， the patient gradually developed symptoms such as salivation， difficulty in eating， trembling hands， unsteady walking， glossoptosis and so on. The above symptoms were interpreted as drug-induced adverse reactions and managed accordingly， whereas the patient showed a poor response to treatment， and began to experience intermittent consciousness disorder. After referral to our hospital， findings were diagnostic for Wernicke's encephalopathy and peripheral polyneuropathy. Due to the progression of the disease， the family members abandoned further treatment and requested discharge from the hospital， and the patient died outside the hospital. This case report aims to improve the prognosis of Wernicke's encephalopathy in patients with mental disorder by raising the awareness of the disease and enhancing the early prevention.