Making psychiatric sense of sand: a case of delusional disorder in Saudi Arabia

Delusional Parasitosis in a School Teacher Living in a Rural Area: Parasitological Approach

Delusional parasitosis is a psychotic illness. Patients often present to dermatologists with scars that are self-inflicted because they attempt to extract the “parasites”. We report a 58 -year-old female with an eight-month history of a crawling sensation on her skin and constant generalized itching, which she believed to be caused by insects and worms crawling across her skin. Examination revealed self-inflicted scratches at various stages of healing, which were limited to body parts within easy reach. The patient visited many physicians; it seems that she mutilated in an attempt to remove the offending organisms. She also presented skin scrapings and debris to her doctors, claiming that they contained worms and insects. Light pressure on the lesions did not produce any extrusion of macroparasites, and no parasites such as helminths and insect larvae (myiasis), were observed during microscopy. Thin smear scrapings were stained and examined to rule out parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis and mycosis; however, no evidence of parasites was found. Our patient was administered with amisulpride 100 mg twice a day, which resulted in the complete remission of delusions after five weeks. The skin lesions were managed with clobetasol propionate ointment. A careful clinical examination combined with parasitological tests can be decisive in diagnosing delusional parasitosis, especially for patients from rural areas. 

Comparative efficacy and acceptability of existing pharmacotherapies for delusional disorder: a retrospective case series and review of the literature

Delusional disorder is an uncommon, yet not rare, psychotic disorder. Because of the distinct lack of high-evidence-level research conducted in this area, no definitive clinical guidelines are available on its treatment. The aim of this article was to summarize the current literature on the pharmacological treatment of delusional disorder in the form of a review, as well as to analyze a series of 6 cases treated at the Department of Psychiatry at "Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin" between 2005 and 2011; in each case paying special attention to the relative efficacy and acceptability of the antipsychotics used.

REVIEW

A MEDLINE search was conducted to capture all articles on the treatment of delusional disorder published since 2004. After viewing titles and abstracts, these articles were then assessed for relevance.

CASE SERIES

The files of 6 cases of delusional disorder treated at the previously mentioned clinic were analyzed and information regarding the type of medication, dose, and duration of treatment as well as adverse effects was extracted and summarized. In line with previous studies, it was found that delusional disorder has a moderate prognosis when adequately treated and that noncompliance is often the reason for poor treatment results. Various novel antipsychotics as well as a combination of medication treatment and psychotherapy produced positive results. Generally, adverse effects were easily managed by a reduction in dose or a switch to another antipsychotic, and it was often necessary to try out a number of antipsychotics before arriving at a satisfactory solution.

The "Truman Show" delusion: psychosis in the global village

INTRODUCTION

We report a novel delusion, primarily persecutory in form, in which the patient believes that he is being filmed, and that the films are being broadcast for the entertainment of others.

METHODS

We describe a series of patients who presented with a delusional system according to which they were the subjects of something akin to a reality television show that was broadcasting their daily life for the entertainment of others. We then address three questions, the first concerning how to characterise the delusion, the second concerning the role of culture in delusion, and the third concerning the implications of cultural studies of delusion for the cognitive theory of delusion.

RESULTS

Delusions are both variable and stable: Particular delusional ideas are sensitive to culture, but the broad categories of delusion are stable both across time and culture. This stability has implications for the form a cognitive theory of delusion can take.

CONCLUSIONS

Cultural studies of delusion have important contributions to make to the cognitive theory of delusion.

Is it possible to carry out high-quality epidemiological research in psychiatry with limited resources?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review covers the epidemiological research from developing countries to identify the scope of research in the various aspects of epidemiology and the strengths of research. The period covered is June 2004 to June 2005. The literature survey used searches of Medline, key psychiatric journals and personal correspondence with leading psychiatric researchers from developing countries.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is a new interest in epidemiological studies in developing countries. These studies have been driven by three factors, namely international collaboration; specific situations like disasters, terrorism and severe acute respiratory syndrome; and international attention to specific topics like maternal depression. There is limited long-term research on specific conditions. There are a number of leads suggesting local social-cultural factors contribute to the distribution of psychiatric problems. Child psychiatry continues to be low in priority. There is also lack of research in areas such as personality disorders and organic psychiatric disorders.

SUMMARY

It is possible to carry out high quality epidemiological research in developing countries. Such research has provided new insights into the distribution, causation, course and outcome of mental disorders. There is need for greater attention to the development of epidemiological assessment tools to suit local conditions. Specific centers/institutions developing long-term research interests on specific subjects would be valuable for future efforts. There is also need to widen the conditions to be studied.