Paroxysmal Perceptual Alteration: Drug-Induced Phenomenon or Schizophrenic Psychopathology?

Samir Kumar Praharaj; Sreejayan K; Mahima Acharya

Paroxysmal Perceptual Alteration: Drug-Induced Phenomenon or Schizophrenic Psychopathology?

Psychopharmacol Bull. 2012 Feb 15;45(1):44-47.

Authors

Samir Kumar Praharaj¹, Sreejayan K¹, Mahima Acharya¹

Affiliation

¹ Drs. Praharaj, MBBS, MD, DPM, Sreejayan, MBBS, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India. Dr. Acharya, MBBS, Junior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India.

PMID: 27738368
PMCID: PMC5044475

Abstract

Brief and repetitive episodes of perceptual changes, termed paroxysmal perceptual alteration (PPA), have been described in association with antipsychotic treatment. We report a case of paranoid schizophrenia who had such perceptual changes akin to PPA for 15 years, that was not related to antipsychotic treatment. There was a rapid resolution of PPA following treatment with low dose clonazepam.

Keywords: antipsychotic; clonazepam; paroxysmal perceptual alteration (PPA); schizophrenia.