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Trials and tribulations of diagnosing and managing psychosis secondary to non-convulsive epilepsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 June 2021

Mahmoud Awara*
Affiliation:
Dalhousie; Nova Scotia Health Authority; Royal College of Psychiatrists
Joshua Smalley
Affiliation:
Maastricht University; Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Peterborough Regional Health Centre
Matt Havenga
Affiliation:
Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health Authority
Manal Elnenaei
Affiliation:
Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health Authority
*
*corresponding author.
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Abstract

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Objective

To highlight the importance of reviewing diagnosis and management of refractory psychosis and to share that with the scientific community; and to also shed some light on the dilemma and challenges that professionals may face to diagnose and treat organic psychosis. In addition, to look at the possible similarity/dissimilarity in psychopathology between organic and primary psychosis and differences in opinions through presenting the history and course of illness of this patient.

Case report

We present the case of a 51-year-old female who had a 28-year history of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. She did not report or display any seizure activity, and an extensive investigation was unremarkable. The unusual nature of her psychopathology, which was predominantly visual hallucinations and somatic delusions, and the difficult to treat nature of her symptoms, prompted investigation with Electroencephalograph which demonstrated bilateral temporal lobe epileptic activity.

Discussion

Treatment with divalproex sodium and discontinuation of antipsychotic medication achieved an excellent response, where her visual hallucinations and somatic delusions were both remarkably ameliorated.

Conclusion

The differentiation between organic/secondary and functional/primary psychosis is an area of contention between psychiatrists and neurologists and also within each of these specialties.

The myriad of psychopathology and associated treatment resistant psychotic symptoms that patients with non-convulsive epilepsy may experience should result in building a long desired bridge between neurology and psychiatry to collaborate in managing such cases.

Type
Case Study
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
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