The role of social media networks in psychotic disorders: a case report

Nithin Krishna; Bernard A Fischer; Moshe Miller; Kelly Register-Brown; Kathleen Patchan; Ann Hackman

doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2012.10.006

The role of social media networks in psychotic disorders: a case report

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2013 Sep-Oct;35(5):576.e1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2012.10.006. Epub 2012 Nov 20.

Authors

Nithin Krishna¹, Bernard A Fischer, Moshe Miller, Kelly Register-Brown, Kathleen Patchan, Ann Hackman

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21228. Electronic address: nkrishna@psych.umaryland.edu.

PMID: 23174460
DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2012.10.006

Abstract

We report the case of a young man diagnosed with schizophrenia who presented with stalking behaviors that may have been caused by problematic use or participation in social media networks (SMN). We review the possible role of SMN in the formation of his romantic delusion and offer suggestions for clinicians around incorporation of SMN questions into assessments. It is imperative to identify populations at risk of SMN-related stalking behaviors to stratify mental health resources and interventions. Additional studies are needed to further clarify the role of SMN in psychotic disorders.

Keywords: Cyber-bullying; Delusion; Internet harassment; Psychosis; Social media network; Stalking.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Humans
Male
Psychotic Disorders / etiology*
Psychotic Disorders / psychology
Social Media*
Stalking / etiology
Stalking / psychology