Mental and Behavioral Disorders Due to the Use of Volatile Solvents

What are Mental and Behavioral Disorders due to the use of volatile solvents?

One out of ten students before grade 11 tried or systematically used volatile solvents.

Causes of Mental and Behavioral Disorders Due to the Use of Volatile Solvents

Volatile liquids and gases, the inhalation of which causes euphoria: glues, aerosols, solvents, gasoline, heated dry cleaners, gases for anesthesia (nitrous oxide), volatile nitrates. The effect depends on the active substance: aliphatic hydrocarbon, ether, ketone, mixed compound.

Symptoms of Mental and Behavioral Disorders Due to the Use of Volatile Solvents

Acute intoxication
Euphoria, disinhibition, disorientation, dizziness, fainting, headache, inappropriate behavior, convulsions.

Harmful use
Somatic changes in the form of arrhythmias, hypotension, bradycardia, lacrimation, dilation of the blood vessels of the sclera and conjunctiva, visual impairment and diplopia, burns, dehydration. Dementia with cognitive dysfunction, ataxia and dysarthria, paresthesia, encephalopathy with diffuse atrophy.

Addiction syndrome
The phenomena of mental and physical dependence.

Withdrawal syndrome
Irritability, conflict, drowsiness, or insomnia.

Psychotic disorder
Schizophrenic psychoses with auditory true and pseudo-hallucinations. Paranoid states with ideas of attitude, persecution.

Amnestic syndrome
Violation of concentration, fixative amnesia.

Residual state and psychotic disorder with delayed debut

Encephalopathy and delayed schizophrenia-like psychotic conditions.

Diagnosis of Mental and Behavioral Disorders Due to the Use of Volatile Solvents

Medical history, halitosis, runny nose, tinnitus, dermatitis, liver changes and toxic intoxication clinic.

Differential diagnosis

Differentiate with psychotic disorders in organic brain diseases, other mental and behavioral disorders as a result of the use of psychoactive substances.

Treatment for Mental and Behavioral Disorders Due to the Use of Volatile Solvents

Symptomatic therapy and detoxification. Psychotherapy and behavioral therapy.