title: Diagnosis and treatment of monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis in chronic renal failure.
abstract: The authors describe a case of a patient who presents with a delusional interpretation of a somatic symptom, uremic pruritus. The literature on the diagnosis and treatment of monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis (MHP) is reviewed and discussed. There is an effective treatment available for this disabling condition--a neuroleptic agent called pimozide, which appears to have a selective ability to block central dopaminergic receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matas
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003702:Delusions / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010868:Pimozide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012532:Scabies / Q000523:psychology; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D010868:Pimozide