Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

Some lupus patients may demonstrate symptoms of psychosis.
Psychosis is defined as an inability to judge reality, marked by disordered thinking & bizarre ideas, often including delusions & hallucinations.
It usually results in an inability to carry out the ordinary demands of living.

About 10-15% of lupus patients will display acute psychosis during the course of their disease.

Most psychotic episodes occur with CNS vasculitis, but others occur as a result of steroid therapy, water intoxication with low blood levels of sodium, seizures, central hyperventilation, or antimalarial therapy.

It is managed with corticosteroids, & antipsychotic preparations.