In the DSM-5, pseudocyesis is classified as a “somatic disorder, not elsewhere classified,” and is defined as a “false belief of being pregnant that is associated with objective signs and reported symptoms of pregnancy, which may include abdominal enlargement, reduced menstrual flow, amenorrhea, subjective sensation of fetal movement, nausea, breast engorgement and secretions, and labor pains at the expected date of delivery.” Differential diagnosis depends on a negative blood pregnancy test.
The endocrine basis of pseudocyesis is not well understood. Affected women may have increased sympathetic nervous system activity, dysfunction of central nervous system catecholaminergic pathways involved in the regulation of hormone secretion from adenohypophysis, …show more content…
Major depression, peripartum onset requires an episode of depression during an actual pregnancy or within 1 month postpartum. Symptoms must match criteria for major depression, which include depressed mood and loss of interest of pleasure, along with at least four of the following: significant weight change, sleep disturbances, psychomotor disruption, fatigue, feeling of worthlessness, diminished ability to concentrate, and recurrent thoughts of death. There also must be no history of mania or hypomania. The fact that the presented patient is not actually pregnant and does not present a symptom constellation consistent with this diagnosis rules out this diagnosis.
Choice "D" is not the best answer. Schizophreniform disorder requires two or more of the following for at least 1 month: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized behavior, and/or negative symptoms. In addition to this intensive disturbance of at least 1 month, there may be signs of continuous disturbance for less than 6 months. Note that if continuous disturbance is longer than 6 months, the diagnosis would be schizophrenia.
The patient presented here does not evidence these symptoms and lacks the general disorganization and dysfunctions that typify a psychotic
The endocrine basis of pseudocyesis is not well understood. Affected women may have increased sympathetic nervous system activity, dysfunction of central nervous system catecholaminergic pathways involved in the regulation of hormone secretion from adenohypophysis, …show more content…
Major depression, peripartum onset requires an episode of depression during an actual pregnancy or within 1 month postpartum. Symptoms must match criteria for major depression, which include depressed mood and loss of interest of pleasure, along with at least four of the following: significant weight change, sleep disturbances, psychomotor disruption, fatigue, feeling of worthlessness, diminished ability to concentrate, and recurrent thoughts of death. There also must be no history of mania or hypomania. The fact that the presented patient is not actually pregnant and does not present a symptom constellation consistent with this diagnosis rules out this diagnosis.
Choice "D" is not the best answer. Schizophreniform disorder requires two or more of the following for at least 1 month: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized behavior, and/or negative symptoms. In addition to this intensive disturbance of at least 1 month, there may be signs of continuous disturbance for less than 6 months. Note that if continuous disturbance is longer than 6 months, the diagnosis would be schizophrenia.
The patient presented here does not evidence these symptoms and lacks the general disorganization and dysfunctions that typify a psychotic