Organic psychoses

Abstract

A psychosis is a syndrome characterized by delusions and hallucinations. Organic psychoses refer to those psychoses attributed to identifiable brain diseases andare thereby distinguished from primary psychoses such as schizophrenia. Almost any condition that affects the brain can cause an organic psychosis. Delirium and dementia are the most common, although there are many other causes including other neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis, endocrinopathies, metabolic disorders, and infections. Making the diagnosis of an organic psychosis requires a high index of suspicion and appropriate investigation. The treatment is usually that of the primary disease when that is possible, while the symptoms of psychosis can be managed using antipsychotic drugs.