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Outpatient treatment of acute psychotic episode with neuroleptic infusions: a retrospective study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

CL Bonsack
Affiliation:
Policlinique Psychiatrique Universiraire A, Service A, Département Universitaire de Psychiatric Adulte (DUPA), 18 av de Sévelin, 1004Lausanne, Swirzerland
R Philippoz
Affiliation:
Policlinique Psychiatrique Universiraire A, Service A, Département Universitaire de Psychiatric Adulte (DUPA), 18 av de Sévelin, 1004Lausanne, Swirzerland
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Summary

In this retrospective pragmatic study, we define the necessary conditions that allow outpatient low dose intravenous neuroleptization, when hospitalization should otherwise be required. Intravenous neuroleptization is infrequently used in the outpatient treatment of acute psychotic decompensation. Rapid tranquilization with high dosage neuroleptics is controversial, and has a high risk of side effects. The indications for and potential advantages of this method in the perspective of a long-term ambulatory treatment are discussed by comparing a group of outpatients treated with infusions to a group of hospitalized patients. The method offers a satisfactory alternative to hospitalization for subjects who are not in imminent danger (current GAF rating between 20 and 40) and whose normal functioning is good (past year GAF rating = 70). Previous repeated hospitalizations favor the choice of hospitalization over infusion. Its potential advantages are the rapid evolution of the condition, with controlled regression but without psychosocial withdrawal, and an improvement in the patient's attitude towards treatment.

Type
Short communication
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier, Paris 1996

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