Case-series on Death of Physically Restrained Patients in De-addiction Centers due to Excited Delirium Syndrome

The term ‘Excited Delirium’ was first coined by Wetli and Fishbain, describing a set of signs and symptoms in drug abusers such as cocaine and later including recreational drugs like methamphetamine, Phencyclidine (PCP) and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). A characteristic feature of this syndrome includes delirium, psychomotor agitation and physiologic excitation. Exact incidence, pathophysiology, and definitive diagnostic test for Excited Delirium Syndrome (ExDS) are not known. Validity of term excited delirium was questioned due to lack of definitive cause of death after autopsy. We have reported two such known alcohol addict cases, having alcohol dependent syndrome with a history of sudden onset of violent, unrestrained agitation at de-addiction centers. Excited Delirium Syndrome-a diagnosis of exclusion was made as a cause of death of these cases after receiving pertinent psychiatric and clinical history, and autopsy reports.