Psychosis and movement disorders in an adolescent with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2ds) is a genetic syndrome affecting multiple organ systems and is associated with increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders. We describe a 15-year old female adolescent with 22q11.2ds, psychotic disorder, and catatonia. Individuals with 22q11.2ds are at increased risk of developing catatonia. Vulnerability for developing extrapyramidal symptoms and epileptic seizures may complicate pharmacological treatment for psychotic episodes. There may be a diagnostic delay of diagnosing Parkinson’s disease in patients taking antipsychotics as parkinsonism may be viewed as a side effect. Health professionals working with people with 22q11.2ds should be aware of the increased prevalence of movement disorders and the threshold for referral to 22q11.2ds specialist services should be low.