AMPHETAMINE RELATED PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

Course overview

AMPHETAMINES BELONG TO A CLASS OF COMPOUNDS CALLED PHENETHYLAMINES WHICH INDUCE CATECHOLAMINERGIC EFFECTS IN THE CNS AND PERIPHERAL CIRCULATION. RECREATIONAL USE OF AMPHETAMINES HAS REACHED EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS IN ASIA, AUSTRALASIA, AND THE UNITED STATES. MOST AGREE THAT PSYCHOSIS FOLLOWING AMPHETAMINE USE IS CHARACTERIZED BY PERSECUTORY DELUSIONS, VISUAL HALLUCINATIONS, AND SYMPTOMS RESEMBLING ACUTE PSYCHOSIS MOST COMMONLY OBSERVED IN SCHIZOPHRENIA. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS AMPHETAMINE-RELATED PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS, INCLUDING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, PRESENTATION, AND DIAGNOSIS, AND HIGHLIGHTS THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM'S ROLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE PATIENTS.