Neurological motor disorders experienced as religious phenomena: role of abnormal movement monitoring.
We describe two cases of neurological motor disorders which were experienced as religious-mystical phenomena by elderly psychotic ladies. One of the patients interpreted a mild hemiparesis as a message from divine forces that changed her left to her right and vice versa. The other patient felt that her perphenazine-induced tardive dyskinesia was the voluntary reading of a silent mantra. Involvement of mystical or religious terms in the interpretation of physical symptoms may lead to the lack of adequate treatment and care. We suggest that a psychosis-related inability to monitor one's own motor behavior is the crucial factor leading to peculiar perception of motor disorders.
Lauerma
H
H
Psychiatric Clinic, University Central Hospital of Turku, Turku, Finland. hanlau@utu.FI
Tuliharju
M
M
D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010546:Perphenazine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D012069:Religion and Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010546:Perphenazine