(#50) Schizoaffective Disorder Complicated by Prolonged Childhood Khat Use: A Case Report

Abstract: This is a case involving a 23-year-old male patient with a history of heavy khat use in early childhood, who was diagnosed with bipolar type schizoaffective disorder at the age of 15. Khat is a plant that natively grows in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula; its leaves are often chewed for their stimulant effect which is mediated by the amphetamine like alkaloids found within them. Following his diagnosis, the patient was both inappropriately and undertreated, which caused him to continue to experience symptoms such as paranoia and hallucinations for the subsequent 8 years. Following his admission, the patient was very paranoid and aggressive, often attacking staff and other patients unprovoked. For this, the patient frequently required as needed antipsychotics in addition to two fully titrated scheduled antipsychotics and a mood stabilizer. The patient was finally stabilized on these and discharged. Given the difficulty of stabilizing patients after prolonged psychosis, had the patient been appropriately treated he would have experienced a better outcome.Short Description: This case involves a 23-year-old male patient with refractory psychosis and aggression who has a history of heavy khat use in early childhood and was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at the age of 15. The patient showed signs of under treatment following his diagnosis, continuing to experience paranoia and hallucinations. It is hypothesized that a combination of his early khat use, early onset and undertreatment of psychosis contributed to his later refractory psychosis.Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): N/A