O'Reardon AB, Litenski MN, Hernandez M, Niyazov Y, Acosta J, Cruz J. Markedly Delayed Presentation of a Psychotic Disorder 10 Years After the First Onset of Symptoms.
Cureus 2024;
16:e57191. [PMID:
38681378 PMCID:
PMC11056097 DOI:
10.7759/cureus.57191]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia affects 1% of the population, causing chronic debilitating symptoms with largely unknown causes. Structural brain changes and neurochemical alterations are believed to contribute to its etiology. Delayed treatment initiation is a major concern. This case involves a male patient with a decade-long history of psychosis, experiencing isolation, agoraphobia, and paranoid delusions. His situation deteriorated to the point where he lived in a self-imposed physically constraining environment for a year, leading to muscle atrophy and deteriorating health. Delayed help-seeking was driven by insurance concerns, despite prior academic success. Following extensive evaluation, he received the diagnosis of schizophrenia (first episode, severe), requiring multidisciplinary treatment, including medication adjustments and therapy. This case serves as a poignant illustration of a missed opportunity for early intervention, with treatment initiated only after symptoms became severe. Research indicates that early intervention in schizophrenia is crucial, typically leading to improved outcomes, emphasizing its critical importance.
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