Psychosis During the Treatment of Alcoholism with Tetraethylthiuram Disulfide

Abstract

In 125 patients treated, four cases of psychosis occurred. The usual somnolence was followed by fatigue, vertigo, headache, forgetfulness, loss of memory and incoordination. Then impairment of orientation and confusion and ataxic gait progressed to a marked retardation resembling both catatonic schizophrenia and retarded depression. Stages of excitement may occur with attention-getting behavior and paranoid delusions. Two case histories are outlined, one of which was proVen to be a toxic psychosis. Effects appear within 10 days. Etiology in other cases may be psychogenic, resulting from removal of alcohol; release, due to liberation of psychological conflicts by depressant action of TETD; and purely toxic. The psychosis is reversible.