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Delusional Parasitosis Associated with Phenelzine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Dov Aizenberg*
Affiliation:
Geha Psychiatric Hospital, Petah Tikva and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
Bruria Schwartz
Affiliation:
Geha Psychiatric Hospital, Petah Tikva and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
Zvi Zemishlany
Affiliation:
Geha Psychiatric Hospital, Petah Tikva and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
*
Geha Psychiatric Hospital, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49 100, Israel

Abstract

A woman developed delusional parasitosis when taking phenelzine. The delusion occurred in an agitated hypomanic state and was preceded by an intense pruritus. It completely remitted following withdrawal of phenelzine combined with a low dose of haloperidol (1 mg/day) for several days. This unusual psychopathology is probably encountered more by dermatologists than by mental health professionals.

Type
Brief Reports
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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