A case of psychotic disorder, not otherwise specified: cycloid psychosis is revisited

Abstract

The inadequacy of Kraepelin's classification of mental disorders into schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis prompted the development and use of other concepts. Although Leonhard's cycloid does not appear in modern psychiatric classification, patients who meet Perri's diagnostic criteria for this disorder are encountered in clinical practice. Lumping psychotic disorders that do not meet the well specified entities in ICD-10/DSM-IV into psychotic disorder, not otherwise specified as recommended by both manuals, will obscure the identity and heterogenous psychotic disorders while awaiting more precise classification of psychiatric disorders based on sound scientific investigations. An illustrative case in a Nigerian woman is presented.

Key Words: Psychotic, Cycloid, Episodic.

Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol.2(2) 2004: 46-51