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Psychogenic Parasitosis

A Case Series and Literature Review

Received November 20, 1997; revised March 4, 1998; accepted March 13, 1998. From the Department of Psychiatry & Neurology, University of Missouri–Columbia School of Medicine; the Department of Internal Medicine, Dermatology Division, University of Missouri–Columbia School of Medicine; and the School of Medicine, University of Missouri–Columbia. Address reprint requests to Dr. Slaughter, Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212.

About 100 years ago, psychogenic parasitosis was first described in the literature. This peculiar symptom may complicate medical and psychiatric conditions or indicate the presence of a delusional disorder (somatic type). By using the authors' case series of 12 patients, which are reported in the article, and a review of the literature, an historical perspective and the authors' clinical orientation to evaluation and treatment of psychogenic parasitosis are presented.

Key Words: psychogenic parasitosis • delusions of parasitosis • delusional disorder • Review

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