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Amphetamine
Dependence Symptoms and DSM-IV Diagnosis
 Amphetamine
Dependence
Symptoms and Diagnosis Overview:
Amphetamine
Dependence
symptoms and diagnostic criteria follow below. While some of these Amphetamine
Dependence symptoms may be recognized by family, teachers, legal and medical
professionals, and others, only properly trained mental health
professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, professional counselors etc.) can
or should even attempt to make a mental health diagnosis. Many additional
factors are considered in addition to the Amphetamine Dependence symptoms in making
proper diagnosis, including frequently medical and psychological testing
considerations. This information on Amphetamine Dependence symptoms and diagnostic
criteria are for information purposes only and should never replace the judgement and comprehensive assessment of a trained mental health clinician.
304.40 Amphetamine Dependence
Also refer to the text and
criteria for Substance Dependence. The patterns of use and course of
Amphetamine Dependence are similar to those of Cocaine Dependence because both
substances are potent central nervous system stimulants with similar
psychoactive and sympathomimetic effects. However, amphetamines are longer
acting than cocaine and thus are usually self-administered less frequently. As
with Cocaine Dependence, usage may be chronic or episodic, with binges
punctuated by brief drug-free periods. Aggressive or violent behavior is
associated with Amphetamine Dependence, especially when high doses are smoked or
administered intravenously. As with cocaine, intense but temporary anxiety, as
well as paranoid ideation and psychotic episodes that resemble Schizophrenia,
Paranoid Type, are often seen, especially in association with high-dose use.
Tolerance to amphetamines develops and often leads to substantial escalation of
the dose. Conversely, some individuals with Amphetamine Dependence develop
reverse tolerance (sensitization). In these cases, small doses may produce
marked stimulant and other adverse mental and neurological effects.
Specifiers
The following specifiers may
be applied to a diagnosis of Amphetamine Dependence:
With Physiological
Dependence
Without Physiological
Dependence
Early Full Remission
Early Partial Remission
Sustained Full Remission
Sustained Partial Remission
On Agonist Therapy
In a Controlled Environment
Information
from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV
Additional
Information and webpage by
Paul Susic
MA
Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist)
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