02-14-2010, 10:29 AM
A 44-year-old man presents with fears that his mathematical
abilities have been slowly sucked out of his
brain for the last 4 years. He believes an œalien force
disguised as a human being is responsible. To avoid
contacting this being, he has isolated himself in a
room in a boarding house. His wife divorced him
and left with their children. After 10 years teaching
math at a local high school, he resigned about 3 years
ago. He supports himself by œcollecting cans. His
affect is blunted. His appearance is disheveled,
unshaven, and unwashed. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?
(A) paranoid schizophrenia
(B) alcohol abuse and dependence
© major depression with psychotic features
(D) Alzheimer™s disease
(E) Huntington™s disease
abilities have been slowly sucked out of his
brain for the last 4 years. He believes an œalien force
disguised as a human being is responsible. To avoid
contacting this being, he has isolated himself in a
room in a boarding house. His wife divorced him
and left with their children. After 10 years teaching
math at a local high school, he resigned about 3 years
ago. He supports himself by œcollecting cans. His
affect is blunted. His appearance is disheveled,
unshaven, and unwashed. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?
(A) paranoid schizophrenia
(B) alcohol abuse and dependence
© major depression with psychotic features
(D) Alzheimer™s disease
(E) Huntington™s disease