Description

Freudenmann and Lepping listed 4 common types of patients who present with delusional infestation (DI).


Demographic Group

Clinical Features

middle-aged to elderly female, usually in the community

social isolation, no history of psychiatric disease, normal cognition, normal social function

middle-aged to elderly adult, may be in a nursing home

multiple comorbidities, dementia, impaired vision and/or hearing, paranoia, psychosis

elderly adult

vascular encephalopathy, cortical atrophy, vascular dementia

young adult

episodes coinciding with periods drug abuse (amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, other)

 

The first patient type is termed "primary" since it is not obviously secondary to an underlying disorder.

 


To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.