Toxic role in schizophrenia: A review by a clinical case

Abstract

Introduction

Often find it difficult diagnostic approach to patients with symptoms that could correspond to several clinical entities. This requires making a correct differential diagnosis to enable a better understanding and addressing the disease in an individualized way.

Objective

Describe pathogenetic factors of paranoid schizophrenia highlighting their relationship with drug consumption.

Methods

Review of the clinical history of a patient admitted to acute ward of the Hospital General Universitario of Valencia.

Results

A case of a 30-year-old man, whose income is motivated by persistent and structured autolytic ideation occurs. It presents positive symptoms for several years and amotivational syndrome ago. It has a history of cannabis, cocaine and alcohol since he was thirteen and remains abstinent for more than six months ago. Differential diagnosis arises between amotivational toxic syndrome, reactive depressive symptoms to the disease and negative symptoms for chronic psychotic process. Finally diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and is included in the program of first psychotic episodes.

Today the productive symptoms disappeared and remain negative though with less intensity achieving an improvement in overall activity.

Conclusions

Consumption of toxic influences the development of a chronic psychotic process that may appear years later, becoming a etiological and maintainer factor, not only if its consumption continue, but other effects that occur long term amotivational syndrome and worsening prognosis.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.