Author

Shelly Davis

Date of Award

6-26-2015

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Psy.D.

Department

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Michael Karson

Second Advisor

Ragnar Storaasli

Third Advisor

Catharine Johnson-Brooks

Keywords

Visual hallucination, Differential diagnosis, Decision tree

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Abstract

Differential diagnosis of the etiology of visual hallucinations is challenging. Although visual hallucinations can be symptomatic of psychiatric disorder, they more commonly indicate neurological or medical disorders, sensory impairment, or substance intoxication or withdrawal. Accurate diagnosis and treatment is crucial given that misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment intervention can have profound consequences. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the most prevalent causes of visual hallucinations, review the DSM-5 hallucination decision tree, and provide an annotated visual hallucination differential diagnosis decision tree.

Extent

50 pages



Included in

Psychology Commons

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