Nokea
A 19-year-old college student, Todd, is brought to your clinic by his mother. She is concerned that there is something seriously wrong with him. She states for the past 6 months his behavior has become peculiar and he has flunked out of college. Todd denies any recent illness or injuries. His past medical history is remarkable only for a broken foot. His parents are both healthy. He has a paternal uncle who had similar symptoms in college. The patient admits to smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. He also admits to marijuana use but none in the last week. He denies using any other substances. He denies any feelings of depression or anxiety. While speaking with Todd and his mother you do a complete physical examination, which is essentially normal. When you question him on how he is feeling, he says that he is very worried that Microsoft has stolen his software for creating a better browser. He tells you he has seen a black van in his neighborhood at night and he is sure that it is full of computer tech workers stealing his work through special gamma waves. You ask him why he believes they are trying to steal his programs. He replies that the technicians have been telepathing their intents directly into his head. He says he hears these conversations at night so he knows this is happening. Todd's mother then tells you, "See, I told you . . . he's crazy. What do I do about it?" While arranging for a psychiatry consult, what psychotic disorder do you think Todd has?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Schizophrenia. Todd presents with a history of peculiar behavior, academic decline, paranoid delusions, and auditory hallucinations. These are classic symptoms of schizophrenia, a chronic and severe mental disorder. Schizoaffective disorder (A) involves a mix of schizophrenia symptoms and mood disturbances, but Todd does not exhibit significant mood symptoms. Psychotic disorder due to a medical illness (B) would require evidence of a medical condition causing Todd's symptoms, which is not present. Substance-induced psychotic disorder (C) would require Todd's symptoms to be solely due to substance use, but his symptoms persist despite marijuana abstinence. Therefore, based on Todd's symptoms and history, the most likely diagnosis is schizophrenia.