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Auditory Hallucinations (auditory + hallucination)
Selected AbstractsAuditory Hallucinations in Nonpsychotic Children: Diagnostic ConsiderationsCHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2004Peter Mertin Background:, Auditory hallucinations in childhood and adolescence are not necessarily an indication of psychosis, but are more frequently associated with a range of other mental health problems. Although not specifically linked to abuse as an aetiological factor, the literature reporting on hallucinations in children alludes to a range of family dysfunction and disruption. Method:, This study reports on the auditory hallucinations of 13 children referred to a community-based child and family mental health service exhibiting a variety of emotional and behavioural difficulties. The presence of the hallucinations was generally revealed during the course of the initial assessment. Results:, None of the children were considered psychotic at initial presentation; however, all were experiencing high levels of stress and/or anxiety in their lives. Following the initial assessments children were given diagnoses ranging from generalised anxiety disorder, through adjustment disorder, to posttraumatic stress disorder. The hallucinations gradually disappeared over the course of therapy. Two case studies describe the hallucinations and family histories in more detail. Conclusions:, The present study adds further confirmation of the presence of auditory hallucinations in nonpsychotic children. The clinical presentation of the children in the present study indicates an association between hallucinations and high levels of stress and anxiety, suggesting that mental health professionals should enquire more routinely about auditory hallucinations, particularly with those children from abusive and violent backgrounds. [source] Chronological Changes of Plasma Homovanillic Acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG) Levels in 4 Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy who Developed Psychosis-Like Symptoms (Hallucination and Delusion) During Zonisamide (ZNS) Administration.EPILEPSIA, Issue 2000Takuya Ueno Purpose: Zonisamide (ZNS) is a relatively new antiepileptic drug with an extensive therapeutic spectrum. However, ZNS can produce psychiatric side effects. In this study, we serially measured plasma hoinovaniliic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG) levels in 4 patients with epilepsy who developed psychosis-like symptoms (hallucinations and delusions) during ZNS administration. Methods: Subjects comprised 4 patients (3 males and 1 female) with temporal lobe epilepsy ranging in age from 18 to 28 years. Intervals from the start of ZNS administration to the appearance of psychiatric symptoms ranged from 36 to 707 days. Intervals from achievement of the maximal dose to the appearance of psychiatric symptoms ranged from 2 to 240 days. In these 4 patients, the maximal doses of ZNS ranged from 300 to 600 mg/day. In 3 cases, serum ZNS levels were within the effective therapeutic concentration range wlicn syinptoms appeared. However, in 1 case, the serum ZNS level exceeded thc therapeutic level. In all cases, psychiatric symptoms disappeared after ZNS was switched to other antiepileptic drugs and anti-psychotic agents (2-5 mg/day of haloperidol or 10 mg/day of thioridazine) were added. In these cases, we serially measured plasma HVA and MHPG concentrations. Results: Case 1 was a 28-year-old male. Delusions of persecution appeared 190 days after ZNS administration was started. HVA levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 12.7 ng/ml and HVA levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 7.4 ng/ml. MHPG levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 14.5 ng/ml and MHPG levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 6. I ng/ml. When psychiatric symptoms appeared, the plasma HVA level was increased, whereas the MHPG level was slightly increased. Case 2 was an 18-year-old female. Auditory hallucinations appeared 320 days after ZNS first was administered. HVA levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 9.6- 10.0 nghl and HVA levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 5.3,6.1 ng/ml. MHPG levcls at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 4.14.2 ng/ml and MHPG levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 3.1 ng/ml. When psychiatric symptoms appeared, the plasma HVA level was increased, but there was no increase in MHPG. Case 3 was an 18-year-old male. Delusion of persecution appeared 707 days after ZNS administration was started. HVA levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 10.6 ng/ml and HVA levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 7.2 ngiml. MHPG levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 5.3 ng/ml and MHPG levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 3.9 ng/ml. When psychiatric symptoms appeared, plasma HVA level was increased, while the MHPG level was slightly increased. Case 4 was a 20-year-old male. Auditory hallucination appeared 36 days after ZNS was administered. HVA levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 13.6 ng/ml and HVA levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 7.2 ng/ml. MHPG levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 5.4 ng/ml and MHPG levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 6. I ng/ml. When psychiatric symptoms appeared, the plasma HVA level was increased, but there was no increase in MHPG. Conclusions: In all patients, the plasma HVA levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms was higher than the corresponding level at time of disappearance of psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms may have been associated with activation of dopaniine by ZNS. MHPG levels were slightly increased in 2 cases. However, in thc other 2 cases, there were no changes in MHPG. The influence of ZNS on neurotransmitter metabolites should be further investigated in a larger nuniber of patients. [source] Determinants of outcome in the pathways through care for children hearing voicesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WELFARE, Issue 3 2004Sandra Escher Auditory hallucination, or hearing voices, is generally associated with psychopathology. In psychiatry it is inter-preted as a symptom of an illness, with no connection to the individual's life history. Voice hallucinations in childhood occur in a variety of contexts and have variable long-term outcomes. Little is known about the course of the experience. In this study, 80 children and youngsters hearing voices were interviewed on four occasions over a period of three years about the content of the voices and their overall experience of voices, focusing on the determinants for a promising outcome in the pathways through care. The results indicate that the need for care in the context of the experience of voices is associated not only with high levels of problem behaviour and associated negative symptoms of psychosis, but also, independently, with an appraisal of the voices in terms of anxiety, depression, dissociation and frequency of occurrence. In 60 per cent of the participants the voices disappeared during the three-year research period. The relationship between the disappearance of voices and the course of mental health treatment is, however, ambiguous. [source] Chronological Changes of Plasma Homovanillic Acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG) Levels in 4 Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy who Developed Psychosis-Like Symptoms (Hallucination and Delusion) During Zonisamide (ZNS) Administration.EPILEPSIA, Issue 2000Takuya Ueno Purpose: Zonisamide (ZNS) is a relatively new antiepileptic drug with an extensive therapeutic spectrum. However, ZNS can produce psychiatric side effects. In this study, we serially measured plasma hoinovaniliic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG) levels in 4 patients with epilepsy who developed psychosis-like symptoms (hallucinations and delusions) during ZNS administration. Methods: Subjects comprised 4 patients (3 males and 1 female) with temporal lobe epilepsy ranging in age from 18 to 28 years. Intervals from the start of ZNS administration to the appearance of psychiatric symptoms ranged from 36 to 707 days. Intervals from achievement of the maximal dose to the appearance of psychiatric symptoms ranged from 2 to 240 days. In these 4 patients, the maximal doses of ZNS ranged from 300 to 600 mg/day. In 3 cases, serum ZNS levels were within the effective therapeutic concentration range wlicn syinptoms appeared. However, in 1 case, the serum ZNS level exceeded thc therapeutic level. In all cases, psychiatric symptoms disappeared after ZNS was switched to other antiepileptic drugs and anti-psychotic agents (2-5 mg/day of haloperidol or 10 mg/day of thioridazine) were added. In these cases, we serially measured plasma HVA and MHPG concentrations. Results: Case 1 was a 28-year-old male. Delusions of persecution appeared 190 days after ZNS administration was started. HVA levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 12.7 ng/ml and HVA levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 7.4 ng/ml. MHPG levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 14.5 ng/ml and MHPG levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 6. I ng/ml. When psychiatric symptoms appeared, the plasma HVA level was increased, whereas the MHPG level was slightly increased. Case 2 was an 18-year-old female. Auditory hallucinations appeared 320 days after ZNS first was administered. HVA levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 9.6- 10.0 nghl and HVA levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 5.3,6.1 ng/ml. MHPG levcls at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 4.14.2 ng/ml and MHPG levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 3.1 ng/ml. When psychiatric symptoms appeared, the plasma HVA level was increased, but there was no increase in MHPG. Case 3 was an 18-year-old male. Delusion of persecution appeared 707 days after ZNS administration was started. HVA levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 10.6 ng/ml and HVA levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 7.2 ngiml. MHPG levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 5.3 ng/ml and MHPG levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 3.9 ng/ml. When psychiatric symptoms appeared, plasma HVA level was increased, while the MHPG level was slightly increased. Case 4 was a 20-year-old male. Auditory hallucination appeared 36 days after ZNS was administered. HVA levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 13.6 ng/ml and HVA levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 7.2 ng/ml. MHPG levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms were 5.4 ng/ml and MHPG levels at the disappearance of psychiatric symptoms were 6. I ng/ml. When psychiatric symptoms appeared, the plasma HVA level was increased, but there was no increase in MHPG. Conclusions: In all patients, the plasma HVA levels at the appearance of psychiatric symptoms was higher than the corresponding level at time of disappearance of psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms may have been associated with activation of dopaniine by ZNS. MHPG levels were slightly increased in 2 cases. However, in thc other 2 cases, there were no changes in MHPG. The influence of ZNS on neurotransmitter metabolites should be further investigated in a larger nuniber of patients. [source] Relevance of Cues for Assessing Hallucinated Voice ExperiencesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING TERMINOLOGIES AND CLASSIFICATION, Issue 3 2003Margaret England PhD PURPOSE. To assess psychiatric nurses' views of the importance of itemized content represented on an Inventory of Voice Experiences (IVE) for ongoing assessment of atypical auditory sense perception in people who hear voices. METHODS. Over 6 months, 317 experienced psychiatric nurses rated 58 assessment cues for hallucinated voice experiences. Cronbach's alpha, Cohen's kappa, and Bartko's intraclass correlation coefficients were used to measure concordance of the nurses' judgments against two hypothetical standards derived for purposes of the study. FINDINGS. There was moderate support for both the internal consistency of the nurses' judgments concerning the importance of itemized content represented on the WE and overall equivalence of the content. There was modest-to-moderate concordance of the nurses' original and subsequent judgments but a lack of concordance of the nurses' judgments with equally weighted judgments of the principal investigator even though the judgments of the investigator were based on extant literature and published reports of voice hearers. CONCLUSIONS. Results may reflect the effects of repeated testing, but it also is possible that some nurses did not have enough knowledge or professional experience to quantify judgments about the importance of hallucinated voice descriptions tied to the items on the WE. The findings are being used to refine the IVE. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Findings provide nurses with opportunities for discerning specific characteristics, antecedents, and consequences of voice hearing along with their implications for health and well-being. Discernment of this information will facilitate identification of more specific and meaningful options for helping voice hearers manage their voices. Search terms: Auditory hallucinations, schizophrenia [source] Methamphetamine psychosis in which tardive dystonia was successfully treated with clonazepamPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 6 2007NOBUTOMO YAMAMOTO md Abstract Reported herein is a case of methamphetamine psychosis in which tardive dystonia was treated successfully with clonazepam. The patient was a 69-year-old man who had taken methamphetamine habitually for approximately 40 years. Auditory hallucinations had developed 25 years previously, for which haloperidol had been prescribed. Tardive dystonia had developed in December 2005. Haloperidol was withdrawn and risperidone or olanzapine alone had been administered, but neither had improved the dystonic posture. However, when clonazepam was added, a gradual improvement in the dystonic posture became evident. Tardive dystonia is currently treated on a trial-and-error basis. Accumulation of further cases similar to the present one is very important for establishing an effective treatment. [source] Auditory Hallucinations in Nonpsychotic Children: Diagnostic ConsiderationsCHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2004Peter Mertin Background:, Auditory hallucinations in childhood and adolescence are not necessarily an indication of psychosis, but are more frequently associated with a range of other mental health problems. Although not specifically linked to abuse as an aetiological factor, the literature reporting on hallucinations in children alludes to a range of family dysfunction and disruption. Method:, This study reports on the auditory hallucinations of 13 children referred to a community-based child and family mental health service exhibiting a variety of emotional and behavioural difficulties. The presence of the hallucinations was generally revealed during the course of the initial assessment. Results:, None of the children were considered psychotic at initial presentation; however, all were experiencing high levels of stress and/or anxiety in their lives. Following the initial assessments children were given diagnoses ranging from generalised anxiety disorder, through adjustment disorder, to posttraumatic stress disorder. The hallucinations gradually disappeared over the course of therapy. Two case studies describe the hallucinations and family histories in more detail. Conclusions:, The present study adds further confirmation of the presence of auditory hallucinations in nonpsychotic children. The clinical presentation of the children in the present study indicates an association between hallucinations and high levels of stress and anxiety, suggesting that mental health professionals should enquire more routinely about auditory hallucinations, particularly with those children from abusive and violent backgrounds. [source] Dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) VNTR polymorphism in major psychiatric disorders: family-based association study in the Bulgarian populationACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2002L. Georgieva Objective:,A 40-bp variable number tandem repeat in the 3,-UTR of dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) has been examined for association with major psychiatric disorders in several case,control studies. No significant results have been found. We used a new collection of parent,offspring trios to test for association with schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar 1 disorder (BPI) and schizoaffective (SA) disorder. Method:,We genotyped trios from Bulgarian origin where the proband had SZ (178 trios), BPI (77 trios) and SA (29 trios). Alleles ranging from 5 to 11 repeats were observed. The results were analysed with the extended TDT (ETDT). Results:,No preferential transmission of alleles was observed for any diagnostic group. The presence of allele DAT*10 was associated with the severity and frequency of auditory hallucinations, however, this result is not significant if corrected for multiple testing. Conclusion:,Our results are in agreement with previous reports of a lack of association between this polymorphism and major psychiatric disorders. [source] Cognitive behaviour therapy with coping training for persistent auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia: a naturalistic follow-up study of the durability of effectsACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2001D. Wiersma Objective: To investigate the durability of positive effects of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) with coping training on psychotic symptoms and social functioning. Method: Forty patients with schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders and refractory auditory hallucinations were given CBT and coping training in an integrated single family treatment programme. In a naturalistic study patients were followed after 2 and 4 years since the start of treatment. Results: The treatment improved overall burden of ,hearing voices', with a generalization into daily functioning. Improvement with regard to fear, loss of control, disturbance of thought and interference with thinking was sustained by 60% of the patients while one-third improved further. Complete disappearance of hallucinations occurred in 18% of the patients. Conclusion: CBT with coping training can improve both overall symptomatology and quality of life, even over longer periods of time, but a status of persistent disablement indicates a continuing need for mental health care. [source] Sex differences in schizophrenia, a review of the literatureACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 401 2000Dr. Alice Leung M.D. Objective: To comprehensively and critically review the literature on gender differences in schizophrenia. Method: An initial search of MEDLINE abstracts (1966,1999) was conducted using the terms sex or gender and schizophrenia, followed by systematic search of all relevant articles. Results: Males have consistently an earlier onset, poorer premorbid functioning and different premorbid behavioral predictors. Males show more negative symptoms and cognitive deficits, with greater structural brain and neurophysiological abnormalities. Females display more affective symptoms, auditory hallucinations and persecutory delusions with more rapid and greater responsivity to antipsychotics in the pre-menopausal period but increased side effects. Course of illness is more favorable in females in the short- and middle-term, with less smoking and substance abuse. Families of males are more critical, and expressed emotion has a greater negative impact on males. There are no clear sex differences in family history, obstetric complications, minor physical anomalies and neurological soft signs. Conclusion: This review supports the presence of significant differences between schizophrenic males and females arising from the interplay of sex hormones, neurodevelopmental and psychosocial sex differences. [source] Acyclovir-induced neuropsychosis successfully recovered after immediate hemodialysis in an end-stage renal disease patientINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2007Hung-Hsu Yang MD A 70-year-old man developed herpes zoster over the right L5,S2 region for 3 days and was admitted for acyclovir therapy. He had a medical history of rectal cancer status post-colostomy and end-stage renal disease undergoing thrice weekly hemodialysis. Without a prior loading dose, acyclovir 500 mg (7.7 mg/kg) daily was given intravenously in two divided doses. On the third dosage, the patient became confused and agitated and developed insomnia. Within the following 24 h, delirium, visual and auditory hallucinations, disorientation to place and time, as well as impaired recent memory occurred. At the same time, a transient low grade fever (38 °C) was noted but resolved spontaneously after ice pillow (Fig. 1). Figure 1. The clinical and treatment course of the patient The etiology was vigorously explored. He had no history of any neurological or psychiatric disorders. Drug history was reviewed, but no other medications besides acyclovir were currently being used. Physical examination revealed neither meningeal signs nor focal neurological deficits. Serum blood urea nitrogen, glucose, and electrolytes were within normal limits except for an elevated creatinine level at 6.2 and 5.7 mg/dl (before and after neuropsychotic symptoms, respectively). Complete blood count with differentiation was also unremarkable. Cerebrospinal fluid examination was not possible as the patient's family refused the lumbar puncture. Moreover, an electroencephalograph study and head computed tomography scan disclosed no abnormalities. Acyclovir-induced neurotoxicity was suspected. Therefore, acyclovir was discontinued. Subsequently, serum acyclovir and CMMG were checked by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum acyclovir level was 1.6 mg/l (normal therapeutic level, 0.12,10.8 mg/l) and CMMG level was 5 mg/l. Emergent hemodialysis (4-h/session) was given; the neuropsychotic symptoms, including agitation, delirium, and visual and auditory hallucinations, greatly abated after the second session. The patient fully recovered after three consecutive days of hemodialysis; the serum was rechecked and revealed that the acyclovir level was below 0.5 mg/l and the CMMG level was undetectable. At the same time, his herpetic skin lesions resolved well. [source] Hypoperfusion of the auditory and prefrontal cortices in Parkinsonian patients with verbal hallucinationsMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 12 2006Hideaki Matsui MD Abstract We examined patients with and without auditory hallucinations, using n -isopropyl- p -[123I]iodoamphetamine single photon emission computed tomographic imaging. We assessed verbal hallucinations in the present study: patients with nonverbal auditory hallucinations were excluded. A total of 11 patients with verbal and visual hallucinations and 17 patients with visual hallucinations only were enrolled. Patients with both verbal and visual hallucinations revealed significant hypoperfusion in the bilateral prefrontal cortex and right superior temporal gyrus compared to patients with visual hallucinations only. There were no significant hyperperfusion in patients with verbal plus visual hallucinations. These results may support the release hallucination theory in verbal hallucinations of Parkinson's disease, although another explanations may be more appropriate and further studies are required. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society [source] Efficacy of Cognitive Nursing Intervention for Voice HearingPERSPECTIVES IN PSYCHIATRIC CARE, Issue 2 2007Margaret England PhD PROBLEM.,Many individuals who hear negative voices are troubled by their voices even when they adhere to prescribed neuroleptic medication regimens. At the same time, recent clinical trials provide evidence that structured, cognitive intervention can reduce distress tied to refractory auditory hallucinations and other psychiatric symptoms. PURPOSE.,The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine whether usual care (UC), or usual care plus 12, 90-min episodes of cognitive nursing intervention (UC + CNI) led to sustained improvement in the psychiatric symptoms and self-esteem of 65 voice hearers assigned a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS.,Analysis of covariance with repeated measures procedures indicate that the 44 participants exposed to UC + CNI, were significantly more likely than the 21 participants exposed to UC only, to sustain significant improvement in psychiatric symptoms and self-esteem 1 year following treatment. IMPLICATIONS.,These findings provide encouragement for nurses to further develop and investigate cognitive strategies to treat psychiatric symptoms of voice hearers. [source] Proteomic analysis reveals protein changes within layer 2 of the insular cortex in schizophreniaPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 23-24 2008Kyla Pennington Abstract Abnormalities in the size and activity of the insular cortex (IC), a brain region involved in auditory hallucinations and language, have been previously found in brain imaging studies in schizophrenia. In addition, cortical layer 2 has been shown to be abnormal in many brain regions in schizophrenia. In this study, 2-D DIGE was used to quantitatively analyse protein expression in schizophrenia and control cases (n,=,15/group) in microdissected layer 2 IC tissue. Proteomic analyses revealed 57 significantly differentially expressed (p<0.05) protein spots in schizophrenia. Validation of differential expression of two of the proteins differentially expressed was subsequently confirmed using Western blotting. This work provides evidence of abnormal protein expression in layer 2 of the IC in schizophrenia, supporting previous work of reduced neuronal size in this cortical layer in the IC. Over half of proteins abnormally expressed in this study have not been reported previously in proteomic studies investigating schizophrenia or neurodegenerative disorders. Proteins found to be abnormally expressed appear to collectively impact on neuronal plasticity through roles in neurite outgrowth, cellular morphogenesis and synaptic function. [source] Transcranial magnetic stimulation: Potential treatment for tinnitus?PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 2 2006SAXBY PRIDMORE md Abstract, Tinnitus is a common and often severely disabling disorder for which there is no satisfactory treatment. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a new, non-invasive method of modifying the excitability of the cerebral cortex, which has proven effective in auditory hallucinations and other disorders. Some early studies have been published in which TMS has been trialed in the treatment of tinnitus. The aim of the present paper was to examine the literature and consider the potential for TMS as a therapy in tinnitus. A thorough search of the tinnitus and TMS literature was conducted, and all available relevant material was examined. Discussions were held with leaders in both fields. Tinnitus is common and there are no effective treatments. It is frequently associated with deafness, and may be the result of a pathological plastic process, secondary to loss of innervation of the outer hair cells of the cochlea. Neuroimaging studies demonstrate increase blood flow to the primary and secondary auditory cortices, particularly on the left side. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive method of perturbing and inducing change in the cerebral cortex. It uses electromagnetic principles and has been successfully employed in the treatment of other conditions associated with increased activity of the cerebral cortex. A small number of studies have suggested that TMS may be effective in the treatment of tinnitus. There is a good theoretical basis and early research evidence suggesting that TMS may have treatment potential in tinnitus. Further, larger studies are necessary. [source] Ganser syndrome: a case report from ThailandASIA-PACIFIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2009Kanida Tassniyom MD Abstract Ganser syndrome or "syndrome of approximates" is characterized by the patient giving incorrect answers to questions, despite showing an understanding of the questions, clouding of consciousness, perceptual abnormalities and symptoms of somatic conversion. The syndrome has a sudden onset, resolves abruptly, and is followed by subsequent amnesia. It was first described by Sigbert Ganser in 1897. It was earlier described as a hysterical disorder, and debate about its classification continues today. Currently, it is categorized under the rubric of dissociative disorder. Overall, fewer than 50 cases have been reported. The etiology of Ganser syndrome remains unknown. Some precipitating stressors have been reported and in other cases patients have had organic brain syndrome. Hospital admission has been recommended, but treatment with antipsychotic medication is not necessarily advised because the syndrome can resolve without treatment. The prognosis is uncertain. The present report is of a 40-year-old Thai male with symptoms of clouding of consciousness, approximate answers to simple questions, reported auditory hallucinations and somatic delusions. All symptoms resolved within 5 days and the patient had no recollection of the event. Ganser syndrome is still considered a rare psychiatric syndrome requiring further exploration. [source] Ethnic differences in symptom presentation of youths with bipolar disorderBIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 1 2006Nick C Patel Objective:, To compare symptom profiles of African-American and white adolescents with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Method:, Adolescents, aged 12,18 years at their first psychiatric hospitalization, with a DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar disorder, manic or mixed, were evaluated on measures of manic, depressive, and positive symptoms of psychosis. Ethnic differences in symptom profiles were examined using multivariate analysis of covariance, and specific symptoms contributing to the difference were analyzed. Results:, Ethnic differences existed in manic and positive symptom profiles, but not depressive symptoms. Compared with the white cohort, African-American youths were diagnosed more frequently as having psychotic features, and had higher ratings for auditory hallucinations. Conclusions:, Similar to adults, symptom expression in adolescent bipolar disorder may differ between ethnic groups. Future studies are needed to replicate these findings and explore possible explanations. [source] Imaging auditory hallucinations in schizophreniaACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA, Issue 2 2006D. K. Tracy It is increasingly recognized that there are a heterogeneous range of symptoms within the syndrome of schizophrenia and that some of these also occur frequently within other psychiatric conditions. An approach similar to that in neuropsychology, where cases are grouped based on a discrete deficit, or in this case a discrete symptom, rather than a cause or diagnosis, may be useful in exploring the neural correlates of psychotic symptomatology. Functional neuroimaging provides an excellent tool for investigating the in vivo cortical function of patients with schizophrenia. Auditory verbal hallucinations are one of the most commonly occurring psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia; and this paper examines the progress that has been made in utilizing neuroimaging techniques to investigate auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia and review potential implications for treatment and future directions for research. [source] Auditory Hallucinations in Nonpsychotic Children: Diagnostic ConsiderationsCHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2004Peter Mertin Background:, Auditory hallucinations in childhood and adolescence are not necessarily an indication of psychosis, but are more frequently associated with a range of other mental health problems. Although not specifically linked to abuse as an aetiological factor, the literature reporting on hallucinations in children alludes to a range of family dysfunction and disruption. Method:, This study reports on the auditory hallucinations of 13 children referred to a community-based child and family mental health service exhibiting a variety of emotional and behavioural difficulties. The presence of the hallucinations was generally revealed during the course of the initial assessment. Results:, None of the children were considered psychotic at initial presentation; however, all were experiencing high levels of stress and/or anxiety in their lives. Following the initial assessments children were given diagnoses ranging from generalised anxiety disorder, through adjustment disorder, to posttraumatic stress disorder. The hallucinations gradually disappeared over the course of therapy. Two case studies describe the hallucinations and family histories in more detail. Conclusions:, The present study adds further confirmation of the presence of auditory hallucinations in nonpsychotic children. The clinical presentation of the children in the present study indicates an association between hallucinations and high levels of stress and anxiety, suggesting that mental health professionals should enquire more routinely about auditory hallucinations, particularly with those children from abusive and violent backgrounds. [source] ,Seeing voices': fused visual/auditory verbal hallucinations reported by three persons with schizophrenia-spectrum disorderACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2006R. E. Hoffman Objective:, The neurocognitive basis of verbal/auditory hallucinations remains uncertain. A leading hypothesis is that these hallucinations correspond to ordinary inner speech mislabeled as non-self. However, some studies suggest pathogenic activation of receptive language neurocircuitry as the cause. A form of visualized verbal hallucinations not previously reported in the literature is described that may shed light on this controversy. Method:, Review of three cases. Results:, Two patients described visual hallucinations of speech-like lip and mouth movements fused with simultaneous auditory verbal hallucinations superimposed on perceptions of faces of actual persons in their immediate environment. A third patient described similar experiences incorporated into visual hallucinations of human figures who also exhibited finger and hand movements corresponding to American Sign Language. Conclusion:, These fused, multimodal verbal hallucinations seem unlikely to be due to inner speech mislabeled as non-self, and instead suggest top-down re-shaping of activation in visual processing brain centers by pathogenically active receptive language neurocircuitry. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||