Ekbom’s Syndrome in elderly woman with delusional persecution disorder
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25118/2763-9037.2023.v13.789Keywords:
Ekbom's Syndrome, delusional parasitosis, antipsychotic agentsAbstract
Ekbom’s Syndrome, also known as delusional parasitosis, is a rare psychiatric disorder characterized by the patient's firm belief of being infected with parasites that emerge through the skin, typically from the scalp, genital area, eyes, or mouth. In an attempt to remove the imaginary worms, some patients may self-inflict skin injuries and engage in self-mutilation. Initial consultations often involve dermatologists who frequently propose dermatological treatments that are ineffective. Once diagnosed by a psychiatrist, treatment typically involves the use of antipsychotic medications, with Pimozide being the most commonly reported drug in the literature. Due to the rarity of this disorder, the objective of this study is to report a case of Ekbom’s Syndrome in an elderly female patient with delusional persecutory disorder, who achieved complete remission of symptoms after combined use of Olanzapine and Risperidone, thereby regaining her quality of life and sense of well-being. This work is based on a database that encompasses case reports, literature reviews, journal articles, pharmacology sources, and psychiatry manuals.
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Copyright (c) 2023 Lucas Lobato Dias, João Vitor de Queiroz Campos, Lucas Lima Silva, Paula Correa de Araújo, Pedro Henrique Ribeiro da Cunha, Rodrigo Nicolato
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