Persistent paranoid delusions following the September 11 terrorist attacks in a man with no pre-existing mental illness.
The effects of modern day terrorism on mental health are not well understood. Described here is a 51-year-old male with no pre-existing mental illness who developed paranoid delusions related to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks shortly after they occurred. After about two years of treatment with quetiapine the patient was no longer delusional about terrorism but experienced extensive paranoid delusions about commonly encountered persons, requiring treatment which continues to the current time. Clinicians should be aware of the possible impact of terrorist activities on the mental health of vulnerable individuals.
Reeves
Roy R
RR
Montgomery VA Medical Center and the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MS 39216, USA. roy.reeves@med.va.gov
Beddingfield
John J
JJ
D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks; D013315:Stress, Psychological