Peer-review started: November 20, 2022
First decision: December 12, 2022
Revised: December 18, 2022
Accepted: February 7, 2023
Article in press: February 7, 2023
Published online: March 2, 2023
The case report supports the recent findings regarding the correlation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and schizophrenia. The report accomplished the following objectives: (1) To present a case of an adult female manifesting with somatic type of delusion (foul body odor) and history of PTSD; (2) To discuss the biopsychosocial factors, psychodynamics and management of the patient; and (3) To differentiate delusional disorder from schizophrenia according to recent studies. Schizophrenia and delusional disorder have certain defining features that separate the two. However, at times it may be difficult to actually classify one from the other. A psychiatrist must be able to carefully examine and assess the history of the patient, helping them share early life experiences of past traumatic events. The early past traumatic experiences and life events greatly influence the predisposition of a patient to develop schizophrenia. However, people with schizophrenia were known to underreport their trauma experience.
This is a case of a young adult female diagnosed with delusional disorder with a history of PTSD and associated depression. The patient manifested with somatic type of delusion with a fixed false belief that a foul body odor was coming from her underarms.
Developing a therapeutic alliance is vital in achieving therapy goals through empathy, support and warmth between the patient and physician. History of PTSD predisposes patients with schizophrenia to develop depressive disorders as a comorbidity.
Core Tip: Schizophrenia and delusional disorder have certain defining features that separate the two. However, at times it may be difficult to actually classify one from the other. One must be able to carefully examine and assess the history of the patient to help them share early life experiences of past traumatic events. Developing a therapeutic alliance is vital in achieving this goal through empathy, support and warmth between the patient and physician. History of posttraumatic stress disorder actually predisposes patients with schizophrenia to develop depressive disorders. This case report supports the recent studies associating the two disorders.