[Diagnosis and taxonomy of periodical psychosis]

The concept and taxonomy of periodic psychosis still remains in controversy for the past 100 years. In China, it was first reported by Ji, and thereafter various rinds of terminology and views were given by different authors. In the presentation, clinical investigation and follow up were carried out in 62 cases. In many of these cases, the so-called "periodic psychosis" or "phasophrenia" was early clinical features of schizophrenia or manic-depression. In those cases with apparent symptoms and signs of diencephalic function, differential diagnosis should be carried out from organic brain syndrome. In a small number of cases, their clinical manifestations, conforming to previous diagnostic criteria, might be an uncommon syndrome. It was concluded by the authors that until now periodic could be considered only as a clinical syndrome rather than a disease entity.