A 33-year-old man with memory gaps: a case study of a patient with suspected Fahr's disease

Memory disturbances are observed across various psychiatric disorders and can occasionally occur in healthy individuals. These disturbances can affect different memory components and can manifest with varying degrees of severity. In some cases, memory gaps are filled with untrue memories. Differential diagnosis of memory impairments requires consideration of both psychiatric conditions (e.g., dementia, ADHD) and neurological disorders (e.g. brain damage in the hippocampal regions). This paper presents the case of a 33-year-old man who sought treatment at a Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic due to low mood, anxiety attacks, and memory problems. Initially, he was diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. However, during the diagnostic process, the patient revealed other atypical symptoms, including episodic memory gaps, false memories of brain surgery, and thought content disturbances. The differential diagnosis included, among others, Fahr's disease. Numerous examinations and neuropsychological testing finally led to the appropriate diagnosis—personality disorder and panic disorder. This case highlights the importance of collaboration between psychiatrists and clinical psychologists in the diagnostic process. Additionally, it draws attention to the possibility of atypical clinical presentations of disorders.