Psychosis induced by phencyclidine

Abstract

Phencyclidine-induced psychosis should be suspected in young adults with a history of poor social and academic performance, who present with marked anxiety, psychotic ideation, and physical signs such as nytagmus and ataxia. Phencyclidine ingestion should be suspected when the patient fails to respond to the usual reassurance and “talk-down” for other “bad trips.” A variety of drugs, as well as encephalitis or primary psychosis, can present a similar picture. Phenothiazines should be avoided in early management of any drug-induced psychosis, especially when the drug ingested is not positively identified. Phencyclidine may produce long-lasting pasychosis by unmasking psychopathology. Continued outpatient therapy including prolonged use of major tranquilizers may be necessary.