Abstract
Objectives and Methods: Perimenstrual psychosis is an uncommon disorder, not included under the accepted classifications of functional psychoses. Our aim was to describe two Israeli female adolescents who fit this diagnosis. Results: Both youngsters developed an acute psychosis a few days before menstruation, which subsided several days after bleeding, only to reappear in the same form in subsequent cycles. An extensive medical work-up did not show any significant disturbances, with the exception of anovulatory cycles in one youngster. Psychotropic treatment had no effect on the course of the psychosis. Treatment with a combined progesterone/estrogen contraceptive agent in one patient resulted in full recovery within several cycles. The second patient showed a spontaneous remission within four cycles. Follow-up for two to three years indicated a complete remission, with no need to reintroduce any psychotropic agent. Conclusions: Perimenstrual psychosis may represent a cycloid disorder or an atypical affective disorder, associated with anovulation. The use of psychotropic treatment is considered inconclusive, whereas hormonal agents may prove effective.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 169-179 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Oct 2003 |
Keywords
- Adolescence
- Affective disorder
- Hormonal agents
- Menstruation
- Psychosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health