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Adolescent female with withdrawal psychosis following abrupt termination of ziprasidone

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Abstract

It is widely known that discontinuation reactions can occur after neuroleptics are stopped resulting in dyskinesia through its effect on the nigrostriatal pathway. Less discussed is the concept of “supersensitivity psychosis” which has been described as a rapid onset of psychosis after a neuroleptic medication has been withdrawn. Although the concept of supersensitivity psychosis has been described with the discontinuation of some neuroleptics, it has not been described with ziprasidone. Furthermore, the following case report is the first time that this phenomenon has been described in an adolescent patient who has discontinued ziprasidone. Reasons for supersensitivity psychosis are explored in addition to suggestions about precautions about prescribing neuroleptics in young people.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Child and Adolescent Division, Emory University Hospital, 1256 Briarcliff Road Suite 309 East, Atlanta, GA, 30306, USA

    Maryann K. Jacob, Peter Ash & W. Edward Craighead

Authors
  1. Maryann K. Jacob
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  2. Peter Ash
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  3. W. Edward Craighead
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Correspondence to Maryann K. Jacob.

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Parents of the child described in this article have given consent for this report to be published.

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Jacob, M.K., Ash, P. & Craighead, W.E. Adolescent female with withdrawal psychosis following abrupt termination of ziprasidone. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 21, 165–168 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-012-0239-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-012-0239-z

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