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[Dissociative identity disorder or schizophrenia?].

S Tschöke, T Steinert

Fortschritte der Neurologie-Psychiatrie January 2010 DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1109845 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case study Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 1
Population A patient with dissociative identity disorder and Schneiderian first-rank symptoms
Key findings Argues that psychotic symptoms, including Schneiderian first-rank symptoms, can occur in dissociative identity disorder, and that this differential diagnosis is often overlooked in clinical practice.

Abstract

We present a case of dissociative identity disorder in which Schneiderian first rank symptoms were present besides of various states of consciousness. Thus the diagnosis of schizophrenia had to be considered. Formally, the symptoms met ICD-10 criteria for schizophrenia. However, taking into account the lack of formal thought disorder and of negative symptoms as well as a typical history of severe and prolonged traumatisation, we did not diagnose a co-morbid schizophrenic disorder. There is good evidence for the existence of psychotic symptoms among patients with dissociative disorders. However, in clinical practice this differential diagnosis is rarely considered.