Can We Still Talk About Chronic Hallucinatory Psychosis? a Case Report

Abstract

Introduction

Chronic hallucinatory psychosis is a clinical picture described by Ballet in 1912 which is characterized by the presence of mental automatism, chronic hallucinations and secondary delusions. This clinical entity, from the french school, has been neglected in current psychiatry.

The growing influence of international nosology has led to a progressive disuse of the concept of chronic hallucinatory psychosis and patients with such clinical condition have been classified under the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, according to the Anglo-Saxon current classifications. Taking into account that psychopathological features as well as the prognosis differ from schizophrenia (main differential diagnosis) it is important to be aware of this diagnosis in order to avoid a wrong diagnosis of schizophrenia in these patients.

Objectives/Aims

The aim of this poster is to highlight the modernity of Ballet’s concept of chronic hallucinatory psychosis, which can be considered a valid clinical entity as it shows clinical features that differ from other psychoses particularly the schizophrenic.

Methods

We report a case of a 40-year-old woman who presented a psychotic disorder ten months ago whose clinical features resemble the classical description of chronic hallucinatory psychosis.

Results/Conclusions

Very few recent studies on chronic hallucinatory psychosis have been carried out, which shows the loss of interest of modern psychiatry in this clinical entity. Further research in this field is needed in order to recognize the viability of this diagnosis and provide patients a better care and therapeutic management.