Alcohol-induced depersonalization.
BACKGROUND
A case of alcohol-induced depersonalization disorder is presented. The subject had experienced several depersonalization states following the consumption of alcohol rather than from a psychogenic etiology, and the episodes were transient, not chronic.


METHODS
Three quantitative EEG (QEEG) studies were performed on the subject, one during the index depersonalization episode and two subsequent studies when the subject was clinically asymptomatic.


RESULTS
Slow wave activity (relative theta power) was significantly increased when symptomatic. This slowing was still present over the occiput 3 days after the symptoms had remitted but was absent 17 days after symptoms had ameliorated.


CONCLUSIONS
The time course of EEG slowing suggests a metabolic encephalopathy, a condition which likely contributes to the manifestations of depersonalization syndrome.
Raimo
E B
EB
Temple University Health Sciences Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Roemer
R A
RA
Moster
M
M
Shan
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003861:Depersonalization / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol