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Flashbacks and schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Hazim Obaydi
Hazim Obaydi*
Affiliation:
Senior Registrar, Department of Psychiatry, Cell Barnes Hospital, Highfield Lane, St. Albans, Herts AL4 ORG, and Charing Cross and Westminister Medical School, London
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Abstract

Three cases of schizophrenia (DSM-III-R) (l), whilst responding to treatment, exhibit a group of symptoms which had the essential features of “flashbacks”, as described in relation to psychedelic drugs, though there was no evidence of psychedelic drug misuse. Symptoms were characterised by memory flashes of the original psychotic experience, followed immediately by very brief re-experiencing of earlier symptoms, including visual perceptual changes in clear consciousness and full insight. Symptoms were less clear, less severe, but more distressing, than the original episodes. Symptoms were triggered by stress/anxiety, and relieved by an anxiolytic. The association of flashbacks with schizophrenia is discussed.

Keywords

SchizophreniaVisual hallucinationFlashbacksMemory flashes
Type
Clinical & Brief Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 10 , Issue 1 , February 1993 , pp. 37 - 39
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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