ABSTRACT
Evidence for an organic component in patients with delusional misidentification syndromes is reviewed and three described who developed the Capgras symptom after a course of ECT which produced a mild organic psychosyndrome. The delusion was a complicating factor during treatment, but remitted in all cases as the organic brain syndrome cleared and the underlying condition improved.
Subject(s)
Delusions/etiology , Electroconvulsive Therapy/adverse effects , Identification, Psychological , Adult , Capgras Syndrome/etiology , Capgras Syndrome/psychology , Delusions/psychology , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neurocognitive Disorders/psychology , Neurocognitive Disorders/therapyABSTRACT
The literature on the simulation of psychosis is reviewed and six patients who were thought to be feigning a schizophrenic psychosis were studied. On follow-up, all but one of the patients became overtly schizophrenic. It is argued that the simulation of schizophrenia is a prodromal phase of the psychosis occurring in extremely deviant premorbid personalities.
Subject(s)
Factitious Disorders/psychology , Schizophrenic Psychology , Adult , Diagnosis, Differential , Factitious Disorders/diagnosis , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Five cases of anorexia nervosa in males aged 13--23 years are described. Four patients presented to a general medical outpatient clinic with emaciation, and the fifth was diagnosed retrospectively. Sinus bradycardia was a useful pointer to the diagnosis, which was confirmed by the finding of characteristic psychopathological features of a relentless "pursuit of thinness", along with a fear of becoming obese.
Subject(s)
Anorexia Nervosa/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Anorexia Nervosa/epidemiology , Anorexia Nervosa/psychology , Body Image , Body Weight , Humans , Male , Psychosexual Development , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
It has been argued by many biographers of King Ludwig II that he was not mentally ill but simply labelled mad as part of a conspiracy to remove him from the throne. The evidence for his mental disorder is reviewed and the conclusion drawn that he was probably suffering from a schizophrenic illness of some twenty years duration prior to his suicide in 1886.
Subject(s)
Famous Persons , Mental Disorders/history , Germany , History, 19th Century , Humans , Male , Schizophrenia/genetics , Schizophrenia/historySubject(s)
Convulsive Therapy , Delusions/complications , Pseudohypoparathyroidism/complications , Psychotic Disorders/complications , Calcium/blood , Delusions/etiology , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Phenothiazines/administration & dosage , Phosphates/blood , Psychotic Disorders/drug therapy , Social IsolationSubject(s)
Psychological Tests , Rhinoplasty , Adult , Female , Hostility , Humans , Male , Personality InventoryABSTRACT
Three patients developed symptoms suggestive of acute schizophrenia. In each case there were no abnormal neurological findings on admission to hospital. Within a few days clinical evidence of encephalitis became apparent, and appropriate treatment was given. Only one patient made a full recovery.
