Williams syndrome and psychosis: a case report

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Genetics

Background:

• Williams syndrome is frequently associated with mental comorbidities like anxiety and phobias.
• Psychotic symptoms are notably uncommon in individuals with Williams syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of psychosis in a patient diagnosed with Williams syndrome.
• To contribute to the limited literature on psychotic episodes in this genetic disorder.

Main Methods:

• A case presentation of a 23-year-old female with Williams syndrome experiencing acute psychotic symptoms.
• Clinical evaluation including assessment for medical illnesses and substance abuse.
• Treatment with antipsychotic medication.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with persecutory delusions, hallucinations, and psychomotor agitation lasting two months.
• No underlying medical conditions or substance use were identified as causes.
• Antipsychotic treatment led to complete resolution of psychotic symptoms.

Conclusions:

• This case highlights a rare nonorganic psychotic episode in a patient with Williams syndrome.
• The scarcity of similar cases underscores the need for further research into this comorbidity.