6C44.5

Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic-induced delirium

Delirium induzido por sedativos, hipnóticos ou ansiolíticos

Category

Definition

Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic-induced delirium is characterised by an acute state of disturbed attention and awareness with specific features of delirium that develops during or soon after substance intoxication or withdrawal or during the use of sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics. Specific features of Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic-induced delirium may include confusion and disorientation, paranoid delusions, and recurrent visual, tactile or auditory hallucinations. The amount and duration of sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use must be capable of producing delirium. The symptoms are not better explained by a primary mental disorder, by use of or withdrawal from a different substance, or by another health condition that is not classified under Mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Diagnostic Criteria

Essential (Required) Features:

  • All diagnostic requirements for 6D70 Delirium are met.
  • There is evidence from history, physical examination, or laboratory findings that the neurocognitive disturbance is caused by the direct physiological consequences of the use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics. This judgment depends on establishing that the course of the Delirium (e.g., onset, trajectory of symptoms, eventual remission with elimination of the substance from the body) is consistent with causation by the use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics.
  • The duration or severity of the symptoms is substantially in excess of the characteristic syndrome of Sedative, Hypnotic or Anxiolytic Intoxication or Sedative, Hypnotic or Anxiolytic Withdrawal.
  • The diagnostic requirements for 6D70.2 Delirium Due to Multiple Etiological Factors are not met.

Additional Clinical Features:

  • Sedative, Hypnotic or Anxiolytic Withdrawal, especially when untreated, may progress to a very severe form of Delirium, characterized by confusion and disorientation, delusions, and more prolonged visual, tactile or auditory hallucinations. In such cases, both Sedative, Hypnotic or Anxiolytic Withdrawal and Sedative, Hypnotic or Anxiolytic-induced Delirium should be diagnosed.

Note: See 6D70 Delirium for other CDDR sections, including Additional Clinical Features, Boundary with Normality (Threshold), Course Features, Developmental Presentations, Culture-Related Features, and Boundaries with Other Disorders and Conditions (Differential Diagnosis).

Inclusions

  • Delirium induced by sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic withdrawal

Index Terms

Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic-induced deliriumDelirium induced by sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic withdrawalDelirium induced by sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic withdrawal, with seizuresDelirium induced by sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic withdrawal, without seizures