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Psychotic Symptomatology (psychotic + symptomatology)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	75%

Selected Abstracts

Excessive violence and psychotic symptomatology among homicide offenders with schizophrenia

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2006
Taina Laajasalo
Background,It is not currently known how psychotic symptoms are associated with the nature of violence among homicide offenders with schizophrenia, or, more specifically, whether different psychotic symptoms are differentially linked with excessive violence. Aim,To identify factors associated with the use of excessive violence among homicide offenders with schizophrenia. Methods,Forensic psychiatric examination statements and Criminal Index File data of 125 consecutive Finnish homicide offenders with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were analysed. Results,Nearly one-third of the cases in this sample involved extreme violence, including features such as sadism, mutilation, sexual components or multiple stabbings. Excessive violence was a feature of acts when the offender was not the sole perpetrator or when there was a previous homicidal history. Positive psychotic symptoms, including delusions, were not associated with the use of excessive violence. Conclusions,These results highlight the importance of variables other than clinical state when examining qualitative aspects of homicidal acts, such as the degree and nature of violence, by offenders with schizophrenia. Further study is needed with a more specific focus on the qualities of the violence among different subgroups of offenders, but inclusive of those with psychosis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Prevalence and correlates of comorbidity 8 years after a first psychotic episode

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2007
S. Farrelly
Objective:, While rates and correlates of comorbidity have been investigated in the early course of psychosis, little is known about comorbidity in the medium-to-longer term or its relationship with outcome. Method:, A total of 182 first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients who met DSM-IV criteria for a current psychotic disorder 8 years after index presentation were grouped according to concurrent comorbidity [no concurrent axis I disorder; concurrent substance use disorder (SUD); other concurrent axis I disorder; concurrent SUD and other axis I disorder]. Outcomes were compared between groups controlling for relevant covariates. Results:, As much as 39% met criteria for one or more concurrent axis 1 diagnoses. Comorbidity was associated with greater severity of general psychopathology, but not with measures of functioning, treatment or negative symptoms. Conclusion:, Specific combinations of comorbid disorders may influence patterns of psychotic symptomatology. Routine examination of axis I disorders is warranted in the ongoing management of psychosis. [source]

Frontal lobe syndrome or adolescent-onset schizophrenia?

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2006
A case report
Objective:, To highlight the difficulties that abound in making a clinical distinction between early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) and juvenile frontal dementia early in the course of illness. Method:, Clinical information and data from investigations in single case was collated and reviewed. Results:, A 15-year-old girl was admitted to our psychiatric unit because of cognitive decline and formal thought disorder with echopraxia, echolalia and palilalia, and a lack of flexibility in the use of cognitive and motor strategies that culminated in psychosis. A single photon emission computerized tomography scan showed marked frontal lobe hypoperfusion; however, on proton spectroscopy there was no differential in N -acetyl aspartate levels. Conclusion:, Hypofrontality in EOS is well established and the association of frontal functional alterations, neuropsychological impairment and psychotic symptomatology is suggestive of frontal lobe prodrome that precedes the onset of psychosis. [source]

Imaging auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia

ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA, Issue 2 2006
D. 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]