The Phenomenology of Acute Organic Psychosis
British Journal of Psychiatry September 1, 1987 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1192/bjp.151.3.324
Summary
Acute organic psychosis produces a distinct pattern of delusions, perceptual disturbances, and thought disorder that differs markedly from acute schizophrenia. The study compared 74 patients with acute organic psychosis to 74 with acute schizophrenia using structured interviews. Findings challenge theories that schizophrenia is simply a type of organic psychosis, suggesting the two conditions have different origins for their psychopathology.
Study at a glance
| Design | observational cohort |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 148 |
| Population | patients with acute organic psychosis or acute schizophrenia |
| Key finding | The pattern of delusions, perceptual disturbance, and thought disorder in acute organic psychosis is unlike that seen in acute schizophrenia, implying different origins. |
Abstract
The psychopathology of acute organic psychosis was investigated by interviewing 74 patients using the Present State Examination (PSE). Their delusions, perceptual disturbance, thought disorder, and emotional disorder were categorised and then compared with those seen in 74 acute schizophrenics. In acute organic psychosis there was a particular pattern to the delusions, perceptual disturbance, and thought disorder, which was quite unlike that seen in acute schizophrenia. These results have implications for theories claiming that schizophrenia is an organic psychosis. It is suggested that the psychopathology in acute organic psychosis has very different origins from that seen in schizophrenia.