Delusional
Parasitosis
Delusional parasitosis is a
syndrome in which the patient has the false belief that he
is infested by some type of parasite. Although this is a
psychiatric disorder, patients usually seek care from
dermatologists. DP has various causes. It may occur as the
sole psychologic disturbance, or it may be associated with
an underlying psychiatric disorder or physical illness. A
dermatology-psychiatry liaison is advocated for
establishing a viable differential diagnosis and selecting
appropriate therapy. The antipsychotic agent pimozide is
currently the most effective treatment when DP occurs as
an encapsulated delusion. Pimozide therapy requires
careful monitoring because this drug has several
potentially serious adverse effects, and relapse often
occurs on discontinuation of the drug.
The symptoms of
delusional parasitosis (a psychiatric
disorder) are very similar to those presented
by Morgellon sufferers who reject
conventional diagnosis of their symptoms, and belief in
the existence of parasites infested within them that cannot be
observed except by the patients. There is no agreed upon differential
diagnosis since Morgellons is not an accepted medical condition
at the moment.
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