Acute psychosis with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and oppositional-defiant disorder comorbidities

Abstract

This is a case of an 18-year-old boy who presented with his mother in the emergency room with a 1-week history of paranoia and bizarre behaviour. His comorbidities included attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional-defiant disorder and mild intellectual delay. At the emergency room he was incoherent, agitated and uncooperative. He was admitted to the psychiatric inpatient unit and treated with low-dose risperidone. The patient's symptoms improved markedly over a few days, although he remained restless and had episodes of agitation. Nursing staff was concerned about his behaviour and found him difficult to manage. However, after speaking to the patient's family, this was felt to be his baseline. After 11 days the patient was discharged home in stable state.