Transient musical hallucinations in a young adult male associated with alcohol withdrawal

Journal article

AimsWe present the case of a 25-year-old male who presented to A&E with isolated musical hallucinations, in the absence of audiological or neurological disease.BackgroundMusical hallucinations (MH) are a form of complex auditory hallucinations whereby an individual experiences an instrumental and/or vocal melody in the absence of auditory stimuli.ResultThe patient had a history of recreational drug use and a family history of psychosis. Hallucinations, which were preceded by discontinuation of alcohol and re-initiation of citalopram for depression, resolved spontaneously after three days.ConclusionAetiological factors are discussed alongside the existing literature. Whilst the underlying mechanisms underpinning musical hallucinations remains elusive, the case illustrates the potential role of alcohol withdrawal, serotonin toxicity, recreational drug use and genetic vulnerability.

Authors: Lim, M; Blackman, G; David, A; Mannan, F

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Journal: BJPsych Open
• Volume: 7
• Issue: S1
• Pages: S267-S267
• Publication date: 2021-06-18
• DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2021.710
• EISSN: 2056-4724
• ISSN: 2056-4724
• Language: English
• Keywords: Developmental psychology; Discontinuation; Depression (economics); Auditory hallucination; Medicine; Psychology; Psychosis; Methamphetamine; Anxiety; Antidepressant; Audiology; Recreational Drug; Psychiatry; Citalopram; Drug