Genital cenestopathy in psychotic depression responds to augmentation with aripiprazole and pregabaline: A case report

Abstract

Introduction

Psychotic depression is a well-known entity, with recent data confirming the use of antidepressant and anti-psychotic co-treatment. Psychotic symptoms can be mood incongruent and present further difficulties for treatment.

Case summary

A 51-year-old female presented to our hospital, with symptoms of genital cramping, paresthesiae, feelings of unease in the vulva and depressive mood. In December 2014, the patient was diagnosed with genital polyps, which were successfully removed by curettage. The patient continued feeling various genital symptoms, which she associated with social and family stressors. After short initial outpatient treatment, the patient was admitted to our ward for complete assessment. Psychological assessment revealed psychotic elements, high anxiety and a passive aggressive personality. Abdominal ultrasound, lumbal spine radiography, physiatrist exam and computerized tomography of the brain showed no abnormalities. The patient was diagnosed with psychotic depression and referred to further outpatient treatment. Her drug regimen consisted of venlafaxine, risperidone, clonazepam and carbamazepine, which led to slight initial improvement. However, the patient still referred persistent symptoms as well as sedation as an adverse effect, so risperidone was switched to aripiprazole, and carbamazepine to pregabaline. The initiation of this treatment has led to complete withdrawal of symptoms and the patient has since maintained stable remission.

Conclusion

Aripiprazole is well suited to the female population because of its lack of hyperprolactinemia, and its combination with pregabaline may be an option for augmenting treatment in psychotic depression with cenestopathy.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.