Excited delirium syndrome (ExDS): redefining an old diagnosis

Gary M Vilke; Jason Payne-James; Steven B Karch

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2011.10.006

Excited delirium syndrome (ExDS): redefining an old diagnosis

J Forensic Leg Med. 2012 Jan;19(1):7-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2011.10.006. Epub 2011 Nov 2.

Authors

Gary M Vilke¹, Jason Payne-James, Steven B Karch

Affiliation

¹ Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California at San Diego Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Drive Mailcode #8676, San Diego, CA 92103, USA. [email protected]

PMID: 22152441
DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2011.10.006

Abstract

Recently, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) of the United States of America convened a meeting of experts in the area of Excited Delirium Syndrome (ExDS). The history of ExDS, the clinical presentation, the pathophysiology, differential diagnoses and management options were discussed. Though the specific pathophysiological pathways of ExDS have yet to be formally defined, considerable research has been undertaken on this topic. It is important for law enforcement, medical and other healthcare professionals to be familiar with current knowledge about the syndrome. This paper summarizes the current state and knowledge of ExDS.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Delirium / diagnosis*
Diagnosis, Differential
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Forensic Psychiatry
Humans
Psychomotor Agitation / diagnosis*
Syndrome