PATIENT WITH HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE, PRESENTING AS PSYCHOTIC DISORDER – CASE REPORT

Abstract

Background. Huntington’s disease (HD) is rare. It usually starts with choreatic movements and cognitive impairment, progressing to dementia. A case report revealing diagnostic difficulties in a patient with HD, which began as psychotic disorder is presented. Patient was treated for almost five years in psychiatric outpatients’ service and psychiatric hospital due to a treatment-resistant psychotic disorder. Choreatic movements emerged during the fourth year of the treatment and were misdiagnosed as tardive dyskinesia. Prominent deterioration of cognitive functions demanded further diagnostics. With genetic tests HD was diagnosed.Conclusions. The start of HD with psychotic disorder is less common. In patients with treatment-resistant psychoses other somatic disorders should be considered.

Keywords

• Huntington’s disease
• psychotic disorder
• differential diagnosis
• therapy
• case report