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Delusions of parasitosis
1Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
Seminars in Dermatology
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Delusions of parasitosis is a fixed belief of infestation without evidence. Treatment with pimozide can help, but relapses are common, necessitating supportive care for chronic management.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Dermatology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Delusions of parasitosis (DOP) is characterized by a fixed, false belief of infestation.
- It is often a monosymptomatic disorder with otherwise normal thought processes.
- Diagnosing DOP is challenging due to the conviction of patients and the need to rule out true infestations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic strategies for delusions of parasitosis.
- To emphasize the importance of differentiating DOP from actual infestations.
Main Methods:
- Detailed patient history and thorough skin examinations.
- Microscopic analysis of patient-submitted materials.
- Skin biopsy of suspected lesion sites when necessary.
Main Results:
- Diagnosis is difficult due to patient conviction and the need for objective evidence.
- Pimozide, a dopamine receptor blocker, is the primary pharmacological treatment.
- Relapse is frequent upon discontinuation of pimozide.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of delusions of parasitosis often requires a multi-faceted approach.
- Supportive care can lead to a chronic phase where delusions become less intrusive.
- Psychiatric referral is often difficult for patients to accept.