Psychosomatics 50:87-89, January-February 2009
doi: 10.1176/appi.psy.50.1.87
© 2009 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine
A Forgotten Diagnosis: Simple Schizophrenia in a Patient With Breast Cancer
Babak Moini, M.S., and
James L. Levenson, M.D.
Received October 27, 2007; revised November 3, 2007; accepted November 26, 2007. From Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA. Send correspondence and reprint requests to James L. Levenson, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Surgery, VA Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Box 980268, Richmond, VA 23298-0268. e-mail: jlevenson{at}mcvh-vcu.edu
© 2009 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine
BACKGROUND: Simple schizophrenia (SS) is a disorder unfamiliar to many psychiatrists, and it often goes unrecognized by providers as an underlying psychiatric disorder in general-medical settings. OBJECTIVE: The authors seek to increase recognition, as demonstrated in the case presented. METHOD: The authors report on a breast mass in a homeless 40-year-old woman who was lost to treatment for 2 years and then reappeared in the hospital at stage IV. RESULTS: Palliative treatment was begun; however, the patient summarily left the hospital and was again lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: SS can have profound consequences for the patient, both in terms of self-care and medical treatment. Improved recognition of SS is important for both general-medical and mental health providers in order to achieve appropriate provision of clinical care and better medical outcomes.
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