A case study: schizophrenia and tactile hallucinations, treated with electroconvulsive therapy

The authors review the literature on tactile hallucinations. They examine its occurrence in a schizophrenic patient who had poor response to neuroleptic medication, after several admissions to a psychiatric hospital. The patient responded well to electroconvulsive therapy when it was combined with a small dose of a neuroleptic. Due to prolonged use of neuroleptics he developed tardive dyskinesia that responded only to a large dose of lecithin. They discuss the use of electroconvulsive therapy in schizophrenic patients who have shown little or no response to neuroleptics after prolonged use. The case presented showed better clinical response with smaller doses of antipsychotic medication, when combined with electroconvulsive therapy.