Making Up Excited Delirium

Excited Delirium

Excited (or agitated) delirium is characterized by agitation, aggression, acute distress and sudden death, often in the pre-hospital care setting. It is typically associated with the use of drugs that alter dopamine processing, hyperthermia, and, most notably, sometimes with death of the affected person in the custody of law enforcement. Subjects typically die from cardiopulmonary arrest, altho...

White Paper Report on Excited Delirium Syndrome ACEP Excited Delirium Task Force

Cocaine, excited delirium and sudden unexpected death.

cerning an unresponsive person outside a fast-food restaurant. Upon their arrival, they found a 41-year-old, 350-lb. male acting strangely and “becoming a nuisance.” In accordance with standard operating procedures, the fire department requested the assistance of police department personnel. The first patrol car arrived at 5:58 a.m., whereupon the responding engine left the scene. A video-recor...

A knee in the neck of excited delirium.

This is a well written, balanced, news article. It accurately identifies that police “may have a vested interest in perpetuating the notion that ‘excited delirium’ is a valid medical condition [that can be fatal], given the heat they've taken following” deaths associated with restraint and Taser use. It also includes quotes from University of Miami Professor of Neurology Dr. Deborah Mash, who s...

Excited delirium: Consideration of selected medical and psychiatric issues

Excited delirium, sometimes referred to as agitated or excited delirium, is the label assigned to the state of acute behavioral disinhibition manifested in a cluster of behaviors that may include bizarreness, aggressiveness, agitation, ranting, hyperactivity, paranoia, panic, violence, public disturbance, surprising physical strength, profuse sweating due to hyperthermia, respiratory arrest, an...