Revaluating the Place of Cycloid Psychoses: Case Study

• Main Authors: Bruno Gonçalves Teixeira, João Ferreira Perestrelo, Ângela Venâncio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando Fonseca 2016-07-01
• Series: PsiLogos
• Subjects: Cycloid psychosis; acute psychosis; brief psychotic disorders; transient psychotic disorders; Kleist; Leonhard
• Online Access: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/psilogos/article/view/6276

Introduction: Karl Kleist primarily described the concept of cycloid psychosis. Leonhard set the basis for the current conceptualization of the disorder describing three overlapping subtypes and Perris developed the first operational diagnostic criteria. The diagnosis of cycloid psychosis has a long tradition in European psychiatry, but the cycloid concept is not explicitly included in standard international diagnostic schemes (DSM 5 and ICD-10) leading to a controversial debate about its utility and validity. Aims: This article intends to evaluate, from a case study, the cycloid psychosis concept highlighting its importance and its clinical and predictive validity. Methods: The authors present a case study of recurrent psychosis with total inter-episode remission and minimal functional impairment. Results and Discussion: The article illustrates the importance of the diagnosis of cycloid psychosis given its distinct prognosis and treatment response compared with other psychoses. Conclusion: While this disorder, of unknown incidence, is not well reported, it is worthy of further investigation and clinical attention given its generally favorable prognosis and potentially distinct pathophysiology and treatment.