Biomedical subjects

A R Kulick

Publications and source records attributed to A R Kulick.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1990

Lycanthropy and self-identification.

Lycanthropy, an unusual psychiatric syndrome involving the delusion of being an animal, usually occurs as a transient symptom of severe psychosis. A review of the historical and modern medical literature, as well as of contemporary anthropological reports, suggests multiple etiologies for lycanthropy, including seizure disorders and use of psychotomimetic drugs. A clinical illustration is presented in which the delusion of being an animal in human form has persisted for over 15 years and has been refractory to treatment. The authors speculate that disturbances of self-identity may combine with neurological abnormalities to produce some cases of this syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Lycanthropy: alive and well in the twentieth century.

Lycanthropy, the belief that one has been transformed into an animal (or behaviour suggestive of such a belief), has been described by physicians and clerics since antiquity, but has received scant attention in the modern literature. Some have even thought the syndrome extinct. However, in a review of patients admitted to our centre since 1974, we identified twelve cases of lycanthropy, ranging in duration from one day to 13 years. The syndrome was generally associated with severe psychosis, but not with any specific psychiatric diagnosis or neurological findings, or with any particular outcome. As a rare but colourful presentation of psychosis, lycanthropy appears to have survived into modern times.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Substance-induced organic mental disorders. A clinical and conceptual approach.

Drug abuse is a prevalent problem in society and often occurs as abuse of multiple substances. The authors present a model for understanding the clinical symptomatology and course of substance-induced organic mental disorders and present a hypothesis that explains how various factors might interact to produce the disorder. A clinical case is used to illustrate the use of this approach and suggestions are made for the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A new identity for misidentification syndromes.

The systematic study of delusional misidentification syndromes has been hampered by the often confusing and imprecise eponymic nomenclature currently in use. We present a case report that demonstrates the inadequacies of the current system. We then propose a new classification system designed to improve research and understanding in this important area.

Aged↗