Postpartum psychosis—important clues to the aetiology of mood disorders

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Jones
Keyword(s):  
Mood Disorder ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Postpartum Psychosis ◽  
Research Strategies ◽  
Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽  
Unipolar Disorder ◽  
Disturbance Of Consciousness

It is of great regret that although corresponding with him at the start of my research career, I never met Channi Kumar face to face. His work, however, as evidenced by this book, remains an important influence on our field. I share his belief in the ‘maternal brain as a model for investigating mental illness’ (Kumar 2001), and this conviction has underlined much of my research. In this chapter I will discuss the concept of postpartum psychosis (PP), explore what we know about the relationship of these episodes to other mood and psychotic disorders, and consider research strategies aimed at understanding the nature of the postpartum trigger. I will argue that the nosological confusion surrounding this condition has been unhelpful and that it is time, perhaps, to consider whether we should revive postpartum psychosis as a diagnostic concept. Episodes of mood disorder in relation to pregnancy and childbirth are very common. In our group we have recently examined the history of perinatal episodes in over 1,500 women with mood disorder who have participated in our genetic studies and find that approximately two thirds of parous women, with both bipolar and unipolar disorder, have experienced a significant mood episode in the perinatal period (Di Florio et al. 2013). PP refers to some of the most severe forms of postpartum psychiatric disorder. Although the boundaries of this condition are not easy to define, the core concept is the acute onset of a manic or affective psychosis in the immediate postpartum period. Depending on the definition employed, the incidence is approximately 1 in 1,000 deliveries (Jones et al. 2010). Women may go from being very well to severely ill within hours. Affective (mood) symptoms, both elation and depression, are prominent, as is a disturbance of consciousness marked by an apparent confusion, bewilderment, or perplexity. As the name suggests, psychotic phenomena occur, with delusions and hallucinations prominent. Some women with severe manic episodes, but who do not show psychotic symptoms, may receive the diagnosis, although it is also possible to reserve the label for those women with frank psychotic presentations.

Acute and transient psychotic disorders

2012 ◽  
pp. 602-608
Author(s):  
J. Garrabé ◽  
F.-R. Cousin
Keyword(s):  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Abrupt Onset ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Psychotic State ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
The Individual

The heterogeneous group of acute and transient psychotic disorders are characterized by three typical features, listed below in descending order of priority: ♦ suddenness of onset (within 2 weeks or less); ♦ presence of typical syndromes with polymorphic (changing and variable) or schizophrenic symptoms; ♦ presence of associated acute stress (stressful events such as bereavement, job loss, psychological trauma, etc.). The onset of the disorder is manifested by an obvious change to an abnormal psychotic state. This is considered to be abrupt when it occurs within 48 h or less. Abrupt onset often indicates a better outcome. Full recovery occurs within 3 months and often in a shorter time (a few days or weeks). However, a small number of patients develop persistent and disabling states. The general (G) criteria for these acute disorders in DCR-10 (Diagnostic Criteria Research of ICD) are as follows. G1 There is acute onset of delusions, hallucinations, incomprehensible or incoherent speech, or any combination of these. The time interval between the first appearance of any psychotic symptoms and the presentation of the fully developed disorder should not exceed 2 weeks. G2 If transient states of perplexity, misidentification, or impairment of attention and concentration are present, they do not fulfil the criteria for organically caused clouding of consciousness as specified for F05, criterion A. G3 The disorder does not satisfy the symptomatic criteria for manic episode (F30), depressive episode (F32), or recurrent depressive disorder (F33). G4 There is insufficient evidence of recent psychoactive substance use to satisfy the criteria for intoxication (F1x.0), harmful use (F1x.1), dependence (F1x.2), or withdrawal states (F1x.3 and F1x.4). The continued moderate and largely unchanged use of alcohol or drugs in the amounts or with the frequency to which the individual is accustomed does not necessarily exclude the use of F23; this must be decided by clinical judgement and the requirements of the research project in question. G5 There must be no organic mental disorder (F00–F09) or serious metabolic disturbances affecting the central nervous system (this does not include childbirth). (This is the most commonly used exclusion clause.) A fifth character should be used to specify whether the acute onset of the disorder is associated with acute stress (occurring 2 weeks or less before evidence of first psychotic symptoms): ♦ F23.x0 without associated acute stress and ♦ F23.x1 with associated acute stress. For research purposes it is recommended that change of the disorder from a non-psychotic to a clearly psychotic state is further specified as either abrupt (onset within 48 h) or acute (onset in more than 48 h but less than 2 weeks). Six categories of acute psychoses are presented in ICD-10, and we shall discuss them in order.

scholarly journals Cannabinoids, reward processing, and psychosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon Gunasekera ◽  
Kelly Diederen ◽  
Sagnik Bhattacharyya
Keyword(s):  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Neural Substrates ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Reward Processing ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Dopamine Synthesis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Drug Challenge ◽  
Psychotomimetic Effects

Abstract Background Evidence suggests that an overlap exists between the neurobiology of psychotic disorders and the effects of cannabinoids on neurocognitive and neurochemical substrates involved in reward processing. Aims We investigate whether the psychotomimetic effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the antipsychotic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) are underpinned by their effects on the reward system and dopamine. Methods This narrative review focuses on the overlap between altered dopamine signalling and reward processing induced by cannabinoids, pre-clinically and in humans. A systematic search was conducted of acute cannabinoid drug-challenge studies using neuroimaging in healthy subjects and those with psychosis Results There is evidence of increased striatal presynaptic dopamine synthesis and release in psychosis, as well as abnormal engagement of the striatum during reward processing. Although, acute THC challenges have elicited a modest effect on striatal dopamine, cannabis users generally indicate impaired presynaptic dopaminergic function. Functional MRI studies have identified that a single dose of THC may modulate regions involved in reward and salience processing such as the striatum, midbrain, insular, and anterior cingulate, with some effects correlating with the severity of THC-induced psychotic symptoms. CBD may modulate brain regions involved in reward/salience processing in an opposite direction to that of THC. Conclusions There is evidence to suggest modulation of reward processing and its neural substrates by THC and CBD. Whether such effects underlie the psychotomimetic/antipsychotic effects of these cannabinoids remains unclear. Future research should address these unanswered questions to understand the relationship between endocannabinoid dysfunction, reward processing abnormalities, and psychosis.

scholarly journals Relationship Pattern of Personality Disorder Traits in Major Psychiatric Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 025371762199953
Author(s):  
Bhavneesh Saini ◽  
Pir Dutt Bansal ◽  
Mamta Bahetra ◽  
Arvind Sharma ◽  
Priyanka Bansal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neurotic Disorders

Background: Normal personality development, gone awry due to genetic or environmental factors, results in personality disorders (PD). These often coexist with other psychiatric disorders, affecting their outcome adversely. Considering the heterogeneity of data, more research is warranted. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on personality traits in psychiatric patients of a tertiary hospital, over 1 year. Five hundred and twenty-five subjects, aged 18–45 years, with substance, psychotic, mood, or neurotic disorders were selected by convenience sampling. They were evaluated for illness-related variables using psychiatric pro forma; diagnostic confirmation and severity assessment were done using ICD-10 criteria and suitable scales. Personality assessment was done using the International Personality Disorder Examination after achieving remission. Results: Prevalence of PD traits and PDs was 56.3% and 4.2%, respectively. While mood disorders were the diagnostic group with the highest prevalence of PD traits, it was neurotic disorders for PDs. Patients with PD traits had a past psychiatric history and upper middle socioeconomic status (SES); patients with PDs were urban and unmarried. Both had a lower age of onset of psychiatric illness. Psychotic patients with PD traits had higher and lower PANSS positive and negative scores, respectively. The severity of personality pathology was highest for mixed cluster and among neurotic patients. Clusterwise prevalence was cluster C > B > mixed > A (47.1%, 25.2%, 16.7%, and 11.4%). Among subtypes, anankastic (18.1%) and mixed (16.7%) had the highest prevalence. Those in the cluster A group were the least educated and with lower SES than others. Conclusions: PD traits were present among 56.3% of the patients, and they had many significant sociodemographic and illness-related differences from those without PD traits. Cluster C had the highest prevalence. Among patients with psychotic disorders, those with PD traits had higher severity of psychotic symptoms.

scholarly journals Evidence for a Shared Etiological Mechanism of Psychotic Symptoms and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Patients with Psychotic Disorders and Their Siblings

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e0125103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marije Swets ◽  
Frank Van Dael ◽  
Sabine Roza ◽  
Robert Schoevers ◽  
Inez Myin-Germeys ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms

Frontal Lobe Epilepsy Presenting as a Psychotic Disorder With Delusions and Hallucinations: A Case Study

CNS Spectrums ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 64-66,82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie J. Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Frontal Lobe ◽  
Psychotic Disorder ◽  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Frontal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Frontal Lobe Seizures

AbstractAlthough psychotic symptoms are a recognized manifestation of epilepsy, these are more often associated with seizures of the temporal lobe type. While 10% of children with temporal lobe epilepsy develop a psychotic disorder by adulthood, the literature does not report any cases of psychotic disorders associated with frontal lobe seizures in children. This article presents a unique case of a girl whose frontal lobe seizures were associated with delusional psychotic symptoms. Once her seizure disorder was identified through electroencephalography (EEG) and appropriate anticonvulsant therapy was initiated, her associated psychotic symptoms resolved.

scholarly journals The effect of the environment on symptom dimensions in the first episode of psychosis: a multilevel study

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (11) ◽  
pp. 2419-2430 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Oher ◽  
A. Demjaha ◽  
D. Jackson ◽  
C. Morgan ◽  
P. Dazzan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Symptom Dimensions ◽  
Reality Distortion

BackgroundThe extent to which different symptom dimensions vary according to epidemiological factors associated with categorical definitions of first-episode psychosis (FEP) is unknown. We hypothesized that positive psychotic symptoms, including paranoid delusions and depressive symptoms, would be more prominent in more urban environments.MethodWe collected clinical and epidemiological data on 469 people with FEP (ICD-10 F10–F33) in two centres of the Aetiology and Ethnicity in Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses (AESOP) study: Southeast London and Nottinghamshire. We used multilevel regression models to examine neighbourhood-level and between-centre differences in five symptom dimensions (reality distortion, negative symptoms, manic symptoms, depressive symptoms and disorganization) underpinning Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) Item Group Checklist (IGC) symptoms. Delusions of persecution and reference, along with other individual IGC symptoms, were inspected for area-level variation.ResultsReality distortion [estimated effect size (EES) 0.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06–0.24] and depressive symptoms (EES 0.21, 95% CI 0.07–0.34) were elevated in people with FEP living in more urban Southeast London but disorganized symptomatology was lower (EES –0.06, 95% CI –0.10 to –0.02), after controlling for confounders. Delusions of persecution were not associated with increased neighbourhood population density [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.01, 95% CI 0.83–1.23], although an effect was observed for delusions of reference (aOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.12–1.77). Hallucinatory symptoms showed consistent elevation in more densely populated neighbourhoods (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09–1.61).ConclusionsIn people experiencing FEP, elevated levels of reality distortion and depressive symptoms were observed in more urban, densely populated neighbourhoods. No clear association was observed for paranoid delusions; hallucinations were consistently associated with increased population density. These results suggest that urban environments may affect the syndromal presentation of psychotic disorders.

Dynamic networks of psychotic symptoms in adults living in precarious housing or homelessness

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Andrea A. Jones ◽  
Kristina M. Gicas ◽  
Sara Mostafavi ◽  
Melissa L. Woodward ◽  
Olga Leonova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Psychotic Disorder ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Dynamic Networks ◽  
Premature Mortality ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Network Measures ◽  
History Of ◽  
Precarious Housing

Abstract Background People living in precarious housing or homelessness have higher than expected rates of psychotic disorders, persistent psychotic symptoms, and premature mortality. Psychotic symptoms can be modeled as a complex dynamic system, allowing assessment of roles for risk factors in symptom development, persistence, and contribution to premature mortality. Method The severity of delusions, conceptual disorganization, hallucinations, suspiciousness, and unusual thought content was rated monthly over 5 years in a community sample of precariously housed/homeless adults (n = 375) in Vancouver, Canada. Multilevel vector auto-regression analysis was used to construct temporal, contemporaneous, and between-person symptom networks. Network measures were compared between participants with (n = 219) or without (n = 156) history of psychotic disorder using bootstrap and permutation analyses. Relationships between network connectivity and risk factors including homelessness, trauma, and substance dependence were estimated by multiple linear regression. The contribution of network measures to premature mortality was estimated by Cox proportional hazard models. Results Delusions and unusual thought content were central symptoms in the multilevel network. Each psychotic symptom was positively reinforcing over time, an effect most pronounced in participants with a history of psychotic disorder. Global connectivity was similar between those with and without such a history. Greater connectivity between symptoms was associated with methamphetamine dependence and past trauma exposure. Auto-regressive connectivity was associated with premature mortality in participants under age 55. Conclusions Past and current experiences contribute to the severity and dynamic relationships between psychotic symptoms. Interrupting the self-perpetuating severity of psychotic symptoms in a vulnerable group of people could contribute to reducing premature mortality.

Postpartum Psychosis: Risk factors and Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ousman Bajinka
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Postpartum Psychosis ◽  
Specialist Care ◽  
Puerperal Psychosis

Following childbirth, with a psychosis and associated mood disturbance, Postpartum Psychosis (PPP) is studied to be a severe mental health condition. PPP affects 1 to 2 per 1000 women among the psychiatric emergency. To curb this severe disorder, acute clinical intervention is warranted. Maternal mental health problems with a focus on depression as the condition with the biggest public health impact should be the way forward. This review is set to look into the risk factors, prevention and management of PPP. Both the acute onset and recurrence of psychiatric illness are common during the perinatal period as women are more vulnerable during this period. Timely detection and effective management of perinatal psychiatric disorders are critical for managing PPP. Part of the management strategies for women who experience PPP is to seek guidance on further pregnancies and risk of illness. Since PPP is a disturbing complication of childbirth that carries high risks for both mother and child, if one is at high risk of developing puerperal psychosis, there is the need for a specialist care during pregnancy and be seen by a psychiatrist.

scholarly journals Bilateral symmetrical deep gray matter involvement and leptomeningeal enhancement in a child with MOG-IgG-associated encephalomyelitis

BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Weibing Shen ◽  
Yaner Zhang ◽  
Chenguang Zhou ◽  
Yaoyao Shen
Keyword(s):  
Gray Matter ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Demyelinating Disease ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Neck Stiffness ◽  
Leptomeningeal Enhancement ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Disturbance Of Consciousness ◽  
Deep Gray Matter

Abstract Background Currently, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-IgG-associated encephalomyelitis (MOG-EM) is regarded as an independent inflammatory demyelinating disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities occur in 44.4% of patients with MOG-EM. However, symmetrical deep gray matter involvement with leptomeningeal enhancement is rarely described in the literature. Case presentation A 3-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital because of acute onset fever, headache, vomiting and disturbance of consciousness. Neurological examination showed somnolence, neck stiffness and positive Kernig’s sign. Brain MRI demonstrated bilateral symmetrical lesions in the basal ganglia and thalamus as well as diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement along the sulci of bilateral hemisphere. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis demonstrated increased cell count (7 cells/mm3, mononuclear cells dominant) and protein (1.17 g/L) without glucose and chloride abnormality. Work-up for infectious and autoimmune causes, serum MOG IgG was positive by cell based assay. Therefore, a diagnosis of MOG-EM was established according to the international recommendatory criteria in 2018. He was administrated with intravenous methylprednisolone followed by oral corticosteroids and had recovered completely within 1 week. Conclusions In the setting of meningoencephalitis-like clinical presentation with bilateral symmetrical deep gray matter involvement, MOG-EM should be distinguished from other infectious and autoimmune disorders, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and Anti-NMDA receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. Besides, aseptic meningitis associated with leptomeningeal enhancement may be an atypical phenotype of MOG-EM.

A case of acute and transient psychosis–What to expect?

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S364-S365
Author(s):  
M. Oliveira ◽  
J. Rebelo ◽  
A.S. Costa ◽  
C. Santos
Keyword(s):  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
International Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Diagnostic Stability ◽  
Affective Symptoms ◽  
Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionThe Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) introduced the category of Acute and transient psychotic disorders (ATPD), that assimilate clinical concepts such as the French Bouffée Délirante, Kleist and Leonhard's cycloid psychosis, and the scandinavian reactive psychosis.Methods and aimsThe authors present a clinical case of ATPD and a literature review based on PubMed/MEDLINE, using the keywords: “acute and transient psychotic disorder”, “prognosis” and “diagnostic stability”, aiming to discuss the main challenges regarding the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.ResultsThe patient is a male with 37 years old with two previous psychotic episodes (with 2.5 years of interval), both with an acute onset (of 7 and 3 days respectively), and a fast response to antipsychotic treatment, with periods of complete symptom's remission. He maintains treatment with 6 mg of paliperidone. In the literature, we found scarce information on ATPD. Though several variables have been described as having influence on the prognosis (gender, pre-morbid functioning, acute onset and presence of affective symptoms), this topic remains controversial. Another difficult aspect about ATPD seems to be its low diagnostic stability, with diagnosis changing mostly to Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective disorder and Bipolar disorder. Duration of treatment after complete remission of symptoms is another controversial aspect of this disease.ConclusionsATPD seems to have low diagnostic stability and poor research investment, and so it represents a challenge for psychiatrists on managing these patients in terms of treatment and follow-up plan. Further studies should be held regarding prognosis and treatment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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