Premium
Case Report: Diagnosis and treatment of a severe psychotic illness in a man with dual severe sensory impairments caused by the presence of Usher syndrome
Author(s) -
HessRöver J.,
Crichton J.,
Byrne K.,
Holland A. J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of intellectual disability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1365-2788
pISSN - 0964-2633
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2788.1999.043005428.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , psychosis , depression (economics) , psychology , antipsychotic , psychotic depression , retinitis pigmentosa , pediatrics , antidepressant , medicine , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , anxiety , neuroscience , retina , economics , macroeconomics
The present paper reports the case history of a 50‐year‐old man born with Usher syndrome, who developed a psychotic illness later in life, to illustrate the specific diagnostic problems, and the value of direct observation and a detailed assessment of communication. The subject had had a significant hearing impairment since birth, problems with balance and developed retinitis pigmentosa, leaving him with progressively limited vision in adult life. A pattern of bizarre and aggressive behaviour, and a disintegration in his ability to communicate using signs developed over 3 months. An initial diagnosis of depression was made, but it later became clearer that the subject had developed a psychotic illness. This condition responded well to a combination of antidepressant and antipsychotic medication. The possible association between Usher syndrome and psychotic illness is also discussed.