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Pseudocyesis Preceding Psychosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Ann Mortimer  and
Jo Banbery
Ann Mortimer*
Affiliation:
St James's University Hospital, Leeds
Jo Banbery
Affiliation:
Meanwood Park Hospital, Leeds
*
∗St James's University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, Yorkshire
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Abstract

Pseudocyesis is an uncommon condition in which the psychological and somatic phenomena are usually thought to arise with neurotic rather than psychotic illness. We report a patient whose pseudocyesis took a course not previously described, culminating in an acute schizophrenic episode. Despite this she demonstrated many similarities with neurotic patients previously described in the literature. A phenomenological explanation, the belief of pregnancy as an overvalued idea, is discussed.

Type
Brief Reports
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 152 , Issue 4 , April 1988 , pp. 560 - 562
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1988 

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