Am J Psychiatry 1985; 142:953-955
Copyright © 1985 by American Psychiatric Association
Dissociation and psychotic symptoms
S Steingard and FH Frankel
The literature on hysterical or brief reactive psychosis reflects great
diversity both in clinical description and theoretical formulation. The
authors describe the case of a 17-year-old girl who presented with a
diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder, rapid cycling type, but who, in
fact, was experiencing dissociative episodes manifested as psychotic
states. The patient's successful treatment with hypnosis is described,
along with the clinical and theoretical implications of the case.
