Aberrant Response to Diazepam: A New Syndrome
RICHARD C. W. HALL MC.USN1, and
JOY R. JOFFE M.D.
1 U.S. Naval Hospital, Orlando, Fla., and is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Fla.
The authors report on six patients with diazepam (Valium) toxicity. All showed symptoms of tremulousness, apprehension, insomnia, depression, and (later) ego-alien suicidal ideation. None had a history of previous psychiatric disorder, and all were taking greater than the maximum recommended dose of diazepam. Because the quality of the suicidal ideation in this syndrome differs from the usual indicators of suicidal intent, physicians should be alert to early symptoms of the syndrome and take measures to protect the patient against suicidal impulses.
