Abstract
Delirious mania is a severe but under-recognized neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by the rapid onset of delirium, mania, and psychosis, not associated with a prior toxicity, physical illness, or mental disorder. Catatonia is often a prominent feature of the syndrome. While initially believed to be rare, recent reports suggest that delirious mania may constitute up to 15% of all acute mania cases. When delirious mania is unrecognized or improperly treated, it can progress rapidly in severity and can become life-threatening. This article reviews the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of delirious mania and includes a detailed case report. Delirious mania is robustly responsive to high-dose lorazepam or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT); thus, early recognition and definitive treatment can be life-saving.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 15-28 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Journal of psychiatric practice |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2013 |
Keywords
- Bell's mania
- catatonia
- delirious mania
- diagnosis
- electroconvulsive therapy
- lorazepam
- management
- treatment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health