title: [Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder after ecstasy use].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) is a relatively unknown complication of ecstasy use. As a result, the diagnosis is often missed. The prevalence of HPPD is probably low. Few patients seek medical help; HPPD is however widely discussed by drug users on internet fora.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a 23-year-old male with HPPD after ecstasy use. Besides visual complaints, including seeing little spots ('visual snow'), the patient suffered from anxiety and depressive symptoms. We treated him with citalopram with good results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with HPPD combined with anxiety or depressive complaints, citalopram could be a good treatment option. Further research into treatment is necessary.
authors.affiliation: GGD Amsterdam, cluster Maatschappelijke en Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. lhanck@ggd.amsterdam.nl
authors.forename: Loes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hanck
authors.forename: Arnt F A
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Schellekens
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015283:Citalopram; D006213:Hallucinogens; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors