“Bouffée délirante” induced by meditation

Introduction Meditation is frequently applied in Western as well as non-Western countries for different purposes; we know little about adverse events. The symptomatology of a meditation-related psychosis appears to show similarities with that we call “bouffée delirante”. Methods A female patient is...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEuropean psychiatry Vol. 33; no. S1; p. S533
Main Authors Baena Mures, R.A, Niell Galmes, L, Lázaro Pascual, Y, Saiz Gonzalez, M.D
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Masson SAS 01.03.2016
Subjects
Internal Medicine
Psychiatry
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Summary:Introduction Meditation is frequently applied in Western as well as non-Western countries for different purposes; we know little about adverse events. The symptomatology of a meditation-related psychosis appears to show similarities with that we call “bouffée delirante”. Methods A female patient is described who developed an acute and transient psychosis with polymorphic symptomatology after meditating (Bikram-yoga). We made a literature search for psychotic states related to meditation. Results There are some case reports of psychosis disorder induced by meditation. Some cultural syndromes like Qi-gong appear on DSM-IV as psychotic reaction. In this case, the syndrome is not culture bound. Conclusions Meditation can act as a stressor in vulnerable patients who may develop a transient psychosis with polymorphic symptomatology (confusion, pananxiety, mood swings and mood dystonic psychotic symptoms) with a short duration.
ISSN:0924-9338
1778-3585
DOI:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1971