A diagnostic dilemma between psychosis and post-traumatic stress disorder: a case report and review of the literature.
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Authors
Coentre, Ricardo
Power, Paddy
Issue Date
2011-03-10
Type
Journal Article
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder is defined as a mental disorder that arises from the experience of traumatic life events. Research has shown a high incidence of co-morbidity between post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosis.
We report the case of a 32-year-old black African woman with a history of both post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosis. Two years ago she presented to mental health services with auditory and visual hallucinations, persecutory delusions, suicidal ideation, recurring nightmares, hyper-arousal, and initial and middle insomnia. She was prescribed trifluoperazine (5 mg/day) and began cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychosis. Her psychotic symptoms gradually resolved over a period of three weeks; however, she continues to experience ongoing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. In our case report, we review both the diagnostic and treatment issues regarding post-traumatic stress disorder with psychotic symptoms.
There are many factors responsible for the symptoms that occur in response to a traumatic event, including cognitive, affective and environmental factors. These factors may predispose both to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder and/or psychotic disorders. The independent diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder with psychotic features remains an open issue. A psychological formulation is essential regarding the appropriate treatment in a clinical setting.
We report the case of a 32-year-old black African woman with a history of both post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosis. Two years ago she presented to mental health services with auditory and visual hallucinations, persecutory delusions, suicidal ideation, recurring nightmares, hyper-arousal, and initial and middle insomnia. She was prescribed trifluoperazine (5 mg/day) and began cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychosis. Her psychotic symptoms gradually resolved over a period of three weeks; however, she continues to experience ongoing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. In our case report, we review both the diagnostic and treatment issues regarding post-traumatic stress disorder with psychotic symptoms.
There are many factors responsible for the symptoms that occur in response to a traumatic event, including cognitive, affective and environmental factors. These factors may predispose both to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder and/or psychotic disorders. The independent diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder with psychotic features remains an open issue. A psychological formulation is essential regarding the appropriate treatment in a clinical setting.
Description
Citation
Coentre, R., & Power, P. (2011). A diagnostic dilemma between psychosis and post-traumatic stress disorder: a case report and review of the literature. Journal of medical case reports, 5, 97. https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-5-97
Publisher
License
Journal
Journal of medical case reports
Volume
5
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
10.1186/1752-1947-5-97
10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00623.x
10.1186/1757-1626-1-352
10.1016/S0010-440X(96)90015-2
10.1037/0022-006X.66.3.493
10.4088/JCP.v60n0106
10.1002/(SICI)1520-6394(1997)5:1<34::AID-DA6>3.0.CO;2-5
10.1348/014466503322528892
10.1023/A:1014331211311
10.1007/s00127-004-0766-0
10.1097/YCO.0b013e328017f68e
10.1017/S003329170700205X
10.1111/j.1600-0447.2008.01252.x
10.1586/14737175.5.1.129
10.1023/A:1024794232175
10.4088/JCP.v66n0716
10.1017/S1461145706006596
10.1037/0022-006X.76.2.259
10.1016/j.janxdis.2009.02.005
10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00623.x
10.1186/1757-1626-1-352
10.1016/S0010-440X(96)90015-2
10.1037/0022-006X.66.3.493
10.4088/JCP.v60n0106
10.1002/(SICI)1520-6394(1997)5:1<34::AID-DA6>3.0.CO;2-5
10.1348/014466503322528892
10.1023/A:1014331211311
10.1007/s00127-004-0766-0
10.1097/YCO.0b013e328017f68e
10.1017/S003329170700205X
10.1111/j.1600-0447.2008.01252.x
10.1586/14737175.5.1.129
10.1023/A:1024794232175
10.4088/JCP.v66n0716
10.1017/S1461145706006596
10.1037/0022-006X.76.2.259
10.1016/j.janxdis.2009.02.005
ISSN
1752-1947