Organic Disease Presenting as a Psychiatric Syndrome

Abstract

Organic illnesses may be misdiagnosed as psychiatric disorders if emotional symptoms precede medical signs or if the medical symptoms mimic a common psychiatric syndrome. Diseases presenting such diagnostic pitfalls include the endocrine syndromes, certain metabolic abnormalities, some neoplastic conditions, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Thorough initial and periodic medical evaluation, including examination of the patient's mental status, is recommended.