[Alcoholic delusion of jealousy--psychopathologic characteristics of 2 types of disease course]

Based on the evaluation of case reports of 15 inpatients treated between 1971 and 1986 who had been suffering from persistent alcoholic jealousy mania for at least three years, the psychopathological characteristics of this disease are outlined to define two types of courses of the disturbance: on the one hand, the more frequent monosymptomatic form with gradual onset and on the other hand the acutely occurring jealousy mania within the frame of an alcoholic hallucinosis with additional signs of delusions and acoustic hallucinations rounding off the clinical pattern. Prognosis especially of the second, schizophreniform type of the course appears unfavourable. Organic brain performance deficits and disturbances of sexual function are seen with both types of alcoholic jealousy mania.