Sex and Race Differences in Psychiatric Symptomatology in Phencyclidine Psychosis

Aggression, bizarre behavior, and anxiety were the most common symptoms among 153 people hospitalized with phencyclidine (PCP) toxicity, occurring in 58%, 55%, and 53% of patients, respectively. Males and females showed similar symptoms overall, but Black patients exhibited more bizarre behavior than White patients. This difference was driven by Black females, who had significantly higher rates of bizarre behavior, aggression, and looseness of association compared to White females. The findings suggest that White females with PCP toxicity may not fit the typical profile of a violently psychotic and paranoid patient. The authors note this preliminary work requires systematic replication.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The medical records of 153 psychiatric admissions who were determined to be Phencyclidine toxic were analyzed for the presence of various categories of psychiatric symptoms. Aggression was observed during the hospital stay by 58% of the patients followed closely by bizarre behavior (55%) and anxiety (53%). 116 males did not differ from 37 females in observed symptoms but 112 blacks showed more bizarre behavior than 41 whites. Further analysis indicated that the black-white difference was due to the significantly higher incidence of bizarre behavior, aggression, and looseness of association observed among 26 black females than 11 white females. These results suggest that white females who are Phencyclidine-toxic may not resemble the often reported and frequently observed Phencyclidine-toxic patient who is violently psychotic and paranoid. This preliminary work requires systematic replication.