Abstract

GIL LEMUS, Laura Marcela  and  SARMIENTO SUAREZ, María José. Steroid-Induced Psychosis. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2007, vol.36, n.3, pp.542-550. ISSN 0034-7450.

Introduction: Psychotic disorders induced by corticosteroids have an unpredictable course and in the majority of cases do not follow a specifi c clinical pattern. This may hinder the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology. The objective is to discuss psychopathological fi ndings, therapeutical approaches and prognosis of steroid-induced psychotic disorders. Method: Case report. Results: The case describes a man who was receiving inpatient treatment in the intensive care unit following a severe asthma crisis and during the hospitalization had an acute psychotic episode related to high doses of steroids. He had an adequate response to quetiapine and the progressive reduction of steroids. Conclusions: Steroid-induced psychotic disorders have diverse phenomenological fi ndings that require careful appraisal. In general terms, they resolve rapidly when the doses are reduced and hwith the use of antipsychotics.

Keywords : Psychotic disorders; steroids; antipsychotic agents.

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