Question

Subsequently, one month after taking a newly prescribed medication, a medical student was described by her classmates to have been acting abnormally for a couple of days. The medical student informed the physician that she had multiple projects that were due and she started staying up all night in order to complete the assignments on time The physician noted that she has been using vocabulary that sounded erratic and started talking about conspiracy theory involving the government that was directed twowards her. The physician also noted that she has just started having such feeling. What migh the most likely diagnosis be in her case?

Answer 1

The medical student's recent abnormal behavior and new prescription suggest a likely diagnosis of medication-induced psychiatric disorder, such as a manic episode or psychosis, particularly given the acute onset of symptoms following medication initiation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the description provided, which includes the medical student's recent behavior changes following a new medication, staying up all night to work on projects, erratic use of vocabulary, and discussing conspiracy theories, a likely diagnosis could be a medication-induced psychiatric disorder, such as a manic episode or a psychosis. The temporal relationship between the start of the new medication and the onset of symptoms suggests that the medication could have triggered the abnormal behavior. The diagnosis of a primary psychiatric disorder like schizophrenia is less likely due to the acute onset in the context of medication initiation and the significant stress of multiple due projects. It is important to assess the medical student for medication side effects, interactions, and to consider the possibility of substance abuse, which can sometimes present with similar symptoms.