Paranoia and Hallucinations About Martians

Raheel I. Shaikh; Neal T. Patel; Alexander Martinek; Imran Shaikh, MD

July 12, 2023

Editor's Note:
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Background

The parents of a 17-year-old boy explain that he has had hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia for more than 6 months and is acutely excitable. He says he feels as if he is being chased by Martians, and he suspects his younger sister of stealing from him.

His medical, social, and psychiatric history is significant for an acute depressive episode 3 years ago. His family history is notable for bipolar disorder in his paternal grandmother. The past medical history of both his parents is unremarkable.

The patient reports no alcohol consumption nor use of hallucinogens. His mother says that he has smoked cigarettes, approximately one pack a week, for the past year. The patient also describes recreational use of marijuana 7 months earlier and says he believes that he smoked about 1 g.

References

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Cite this: Raheel I. Shaikh, Neal T. Patel, Alexander Martinek, et. al. Paranoia and Hallucinations About Martians - Medscape - Jul 12, 2023.

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