The case is described of a patient with atypical affective disorder, episodic behavioural dyscontrol and parkinsonism resulting from presumed encephalitis lethargica. EEG abnormalities were found which were compatible with a post-encephalitic state and suggestive of epileptiform complications. Poor or deleterious response to neuroleptics, sleep disorder, and parkinsonism are features that may allow recognition of this illness in a psychiatric setting.
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