Paranoia and slowed cognition
Current Psychiatry. 2012 December;11(12):43-46
December 1, 2012|Psychiatry
Author and Disclosure Information
Mr. K, age 45, is paranoid, combative, and agitated. Two weeks ago he sustained chemical abrasions at home. What could be causing his altered mental status?
Mr. K is poorly compliant with his psychotropics, which include divalproex, 1,000 mg/d, and olanzapine, 30 mg/d. Although he is discharged home with his family, his functional capacity is less than expected and he requires continuous support. Insisting that Mr. K abstain from steroids after the first psychiatric hospitalization might have prevented this seemingly irreversible dementia.
Related Resources
- Sacks O, Shulman M. Steroid dementia: an overlooked diagnosis? Neurology. 2005;64(4):707-709.
- Cipriani G, Picchi L, Vedovello M, et al. Reversible dementia from corticosteroid therapy. Clinical Geriatrics. 2012;20(7):38-41.
Drug Brand Names
- Diphenhydramine • Benadryl
- Divalproex • Depakote
- Haloperidol • Haldol
- Lamotrigine • Lamictal
- Lithium • Eskalith, Lithobid
- Lorazepam • Ativan
- Memantine • Namenda
- Methotrexate • Rheumatrex, Trexall
- Mirtazapine • Remeron
- Olanzapine • Zyprexa
- Prednisone • Deltasone, Meticorten, others
Disclosure
The authors report no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.
