Prolonged Wahnstimmung (delusional mood) without development of a psychotic illness in a 50-year-old male

Delusional mood, or Wahnstimmung, is a prodromal feature of an impending psychotic illness. In this case, the patient reports experiencing this sensation persistently since early childhood. This case suggests that Wahnstimmung may persist for years without developing into full psychosis. This is the first reported case of prolonged and persistent delusional mood in literature. It should be of interest to psychiatry professionals looking to investigate the prodromal phase of psychosis. This case is regarding a 50-year-old, Caucasian male. He presented to clinic with a feeling of excitement. Despite being referred for suicidal ideation, he described himself as "the happiest guy that I know. I wake up every morning feeling excited." This original case should highlight the possibility of this phenomenon in other patients. Ultimately, an understanding of why patients may not progress to full psychotic illness may improve our understanding of protective factors in psychotic illnesses.