Making psychiatric sense of sand: a case of delusional disorder in Saudi Arabia.

Somatic delusional disorder is an uncommon psychiatric disorder that has been typically reported in elderly women. This article reviews the literature and describes a Saudi female patient who presented with novel somatic delusion of turabosis--the conviction that she was continually being covered by sand from sandstorms. Although the systematized delusional convictions remained unshakable, her anxiety and mood symptoms responded to a regimen of tricyclic antidepressants and her delusional beliefs resolved within eight weeks of treatment with risperidone.

Pervasive developmental disorders. Etiological, diagnostic and treatment conundrum.

Pervasive developmental disorders are severe childhood psychiatric disorders that afflict millions of children worldwide. Despite availability of tremendous data on these disorders, there is a paucity of information among clinicians including mental health professionals. Pervasive developmental disorders, caused by multiple neurobiological and environmental etiologies, are characterized mainly by impaired social interactions, impaired communication and language, and abnormal repetitive interests and behaviors.