While some patients may have parasitic infestations, many are suffering from a psychiatric condition known as delusional parasitosis (DP), also called delusions of parasitosis. This condition is the mistaken belief that one is infested by ectoparasites or infected with internal parasites.
Organic delusional parasitosis occurs secondary to organic illness like hypothyroidism, vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, cocaine intoxication, HIV, allergies, and menopausal state.[4–6]
Parasite infections can be a cause of mental illness through biological and socio-environmental paths. The inflammation caused by parasite infections affects the brain and CNS via the blood brain barrier, activation of the vagus nerve and immune cells.
Delusions of parasitosis is classically treated with typical antipsychotic agents, the traditional dermatologic choice being pimozide.
People with delusional parasitosis have an unshakable, false belief that they are infested with insects, worms, mites, lice, fleas, or other organisms. Some people also believe the parasites have infested their home, surroundings, and clothing.
Diagnosis of neurocysticercosis is usually made by MRI or CT brain scans. Blood tests are available to help diagnose an infection, but may not always be accurate. If surgery is necessary to remove a cyst, the diagnosis can be made by the pathologist who looks at the cyst.
Your experience of psychosis will usually develop gradually over a period of 2 weeks or less. You are likely to fully recover within a few months, weeks or days.
The outlook varies. Although the disorder can go away after a short time, delusions also can persist for months or years.
The delusional disorder, if left untreated, might lead to depression, often as a consequence of difficulties associated with the delusions. Delusions also can lead to violence or legal issues; for instance, stalking or harassing the object of delusion, could lead to arrest.
Parasites' potential neurological effects extend beyond seizures and epilepsy. Many people who survive cerebral malaria experience, for example, cognitive impairment, behavioural disorders and neurological deficits.
Parasites may alter the host's behavior by infecting the host's central nervous system, or by altering its neurochemical communication (studied in neuroparasitology).
Parasitic infections of the CNS are often 'silent', with the classical neurological symptoms (e.g. headache, seizures, coma) appearing long after the initial invasion of the brain and, importantly, when considerable, sometimes irreversible, damage has occurred.
Psychotic disorders are severe mental disorders that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions. People with psychoses lose touch with reality. Two of the main symptoms are delusions and hallucinations.
Summary: Scientists have discovered how the toxoplasmosis parasite may trigger the development of schizophrenia and other bipolar disorders.
Delusions are linked directly to psychosis, but not all delusions are that extreme. In fact, anxiety commonly causes delusional thinking, simply because of what it's like to deal with anxiety.
Delusional disorder is considered difficult to treat. Antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants and mood-stabilising medications are frequently used to treat this mental illness and there is growing interest in psychological therapies such as psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a means of treatment.
Not everyone who has delusions has a mental illness. Some people in society have very strong and unusual ideas. But when these ideas become distressing or interfere with day-to-day life, work or relationships, they can be the sign of a mental illness that needs professional treatment.
Persecutory delusion
This is the most common form of delusional disorder. In this form, the affected person fears they are being stalked, spied upon, obstructed, poisoned, conspired against or harassed by other individuals or an organization.
Delusional disorder is usually an ongoing condition, but with treatment and support from family and friends you can obtain relief from your symptoms.
MRI is superior to CT scan in the evaluation of most CNS parasitic infections and is nearly diagnostic, particularly in endemic areas. Contrast-enhanced study is essential not only for specific diagnosis of the disease, but also for assessment of the inflammatory activity.
Nausea or vomiting. Gas or bloating. Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus) Rash or itching around the rectum or vulva.
The Spirometra tapeworm can live in humans for up to 20 years. A man in China experienced seizures and other mysterious symptoms for years before doctors finally found the cause: He had a rare parasite living in his brain, which had likely been there for more than a decade, according to news reports.
Types of delusions include persecutory, erotomanic , grandiose , jealous, somatic, and mixed/unspecific.