Physical deformity associated with psychotic symptoms in two patients with schizophrenia

Movement disorders and related physical deformities may sometimes be observed in patients with chronic psychotic disorders. In this article, we present the case of two patients with physical deformities associated with chronic psychotic disorders. In the first case, the patient had never sought psychiatric care despite her long-standing psychiatric disorder. The patient, diagnosed with disorganized schizophrenia, developed cervical kyphosis, due to her constant neck flexion posture. The other patient had been undergoing treatment for a long period under the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. In the latter case, peroneal nerve injury and dropped foot had developed due to a constant crossing of the legs. Physical deformity may also develop as a result of physical inactivity-hypokinesia, a fixed body posture, and postural disorders in chronic psychotic patients. Due attention should be given to physical symptoms in this group of patients and physical deformities should be treated alongside the patient's psychotic symptoms.