Substance Withdrawal Delirium Symptoms and DSM-IV Diagnosis

Substance Withdrawal Delirium symptoms and diagnostic criteria follow below. While some of these Substance Withdrawal Delirium 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 Substance Withdrawal Delirium symptoms in making proper diagnosis, including frequently medical and psychological testing considerations. This information on Substance Withdrawal Delirium symptoms and diagnostic criteria are for information purposes only and should never replace the judgement and comprehensive assessment of a trained mental health clinician.

Diagnostic criteria for Substance Withdrawal Delirium

A. Disturbance of consciousness (i.e., reduced clarity of awareness of the environment) with reduced ability to focus, sustain, or shift attention.

B. A change in cognition (such as memory deficit, disorientation, language disturbance) or the development of a perceptual disturbance that is not better accounted for by a preexisting, established, or evolving dementia.

C. The disturbance develops over a short period of time (usually hours to days) and tends to fluctuate during the course of the day.

D. There is evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings the symptoms in Criteria A and B developed during, or shortly after, a withdrawal syndrome.

Note: This diagnosis should be made instead of a diagnosis of Substance Withdrawal only when the cognitive symptoms are in excess of those usually associated with the withdrawal syndrome and when the symptoms are sufficiently severe to warrant clinical attention.

Code [Specific Substance] Withdrawal Delirium:

(291.0 Alcohol; 292.81 Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic; 292.81 Other[ or Unknown] Substance)

Also, See other Diagnosis and Symptoms of Delirium, Dementia, and Amnestic and Other Cognitive Disorders

Other Mental Health Diagnostic Symptoms and Criteria