Depression episode in a patient with ataxic syndrome (case report)

Abstract

Introduction

The etiologic diagnosis of ataxic syndrome is a challenge itself, requiring a complete history, physical examination, and sometimes neuroimaging, as well as extensive laboratory evaluation but despite that in many cases, the etiology remains uncertain. But in this case report, we are focused on a complication due to this syndrome, depression episode in a patient suffering from an yet unknown etiology of ataxic syndrome.

Case presentation

An 18.5 years old Albanian female visits for the first time the child and adolescent psychiatry clinic suffering from insomnia for at least 3 months, had difficulties in taking care of her personal hygiene, did not communicate to anyone, loss of appetite, spent 2–3 hours crying without reason and depressive humor. She also manifested tremor and gait abnormalities, which according to her medical history a year ago, in Italy she was diagnosed with ataxic syndrome, but the etiology is not yet specified. BECK Depression Inventory at the first presentation scored 47 points. The girl was hospitalized and treated in our clinic.

Conclusion

Patient suffering from ataxic syndrome have many neurologic complication with the passing of the years, but there has been little information or focus on the psychiatric ones and in the literature is described a syndrome called cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome with similar symptoms. In this case, we describe a patient with life-threatening situation due to her mental health condition and by treating the depression we noticed that the neurologic symptoms improved as well.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.