Work

Hiding in Plain Sight: A case of post ictal psychosis with suicidal behavior

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: • Postictal psychosis (PIP) is a potentially life-threatening epilepsy complication. • PIP is usually short-lived and responsive to low-dose atypical antipsychotics. • Early diagnosis and intervention can prevent life-threatening outcomes. • The article provides practical tips for the management of PIP. Postictal psychosis (PIP) is a serious, often unrecognized complication of epilepsy. Early diagnosis and intervention can prevent life-threatening outcomes. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman with childhood-onset frontal lobe epilepsy who attempted suicide, during a postictal psychotic episode, several days after undergoing inpatient video-EEG monitoring. This case presents a real-world scenario with clear guidelines for the on-call neurologist who will need to accurately diagnose and confidently manage PIP with psychotropic medications. Moreover, this case may stimulate discussion about the complex relationship between epilepsy and psychosis.

Source: Epilepsy & Behavior Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100727

Authors: Tamara Fischl, Piero Perucca