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Psychoses 01

Topic: Anatomy

Created on Friday, December 29 2006 by

Last modified on Friday, December 29 2006.

A 37 year-old male artichoke farmer is brought by ambulance to the emergency room.
He is uncooperative, disheveled, and insists that the CIA is trying to kill him.
He complains of hearing voices telling him to feed the monkeys.
He is accompanied by his brother, who states that he was lucid and rational until 24 days ago. He has been exhibiting these behaviors fairly consistently since that time.
There is no significant past medical or psychiatric history.
Apart from his mental status, physical exam is unremarkable.
Urine and serum toxicology screens are negative. Other lab work and imaging, including head CT and MRI, are normal.

Of the following, which is the most appropriate diagnosis?

A) Psychotic disorder NOS

B) Psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition

C) Schizophreniform disorder

D) Delusional disorder

E) Brief psychotic disorder

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This question was created on December 29, 2006 by .
This question was last modified on December 29, 2006.

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS

A) psychotic disorder NOS

This answer is incorrect.

Psychotic disorder NOS is only made when a patient is psychotic, but does not meet the criteria for another diagnosis. This patient's symptoms meet the criteria for brief psychotic disorder. (See References)


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B) psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition

This answer is incorrect.

The diagnosis of psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition is made when findings of delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, or grossly disorganized behavior are attributable to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition. His psychosis has no obvious organic cause. (See References)


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C) schizophreniform disorder

This answer is incorrect.

The diagnosis of schizophreniform disorder is made when psychotic symptoms last more than 1 month, but less than 6 months. After 6 months, a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be made. Prior to 1 month, a diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder should be considered. This patient's symptoms have lasted less than a total of 1 month. (See References)


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D) delusional disorder

This answer is incorrect.

In delusional disorder, the patient is delusional for at least 1 month, but has no other marked impariment of function. This patient's psychotic features are not limited to delusions. He is also hallucinating, and by history is functionally impaired. (See References)


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E) brief psychotic disorder

This answer is correct.

The diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder is made when a patient has delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, or grossly disorganized behavior (not attributable to a substance or general medical condition) for more than 1 day but for less than 1 month. This patient is displaying psychotic symptoms of delusions and hallucinations. His psychosis has no obvious organic cause. He has been psychotic for less than 1 month. (See References)


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References:

1. American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition, Text Revision. American Pyschiatric Association, Washington, DC. (ISBN:0890420254)

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anatomy
Psychoses 01
Question ID: 12290600
Question written by . (C) FrontalCortex.com 2006-2009, all rights reserved. Created: 12/29/2006
Modified: 12/29/2006
Estimated Permutations: 0