*Danny Rose * * February 20, 2011* *Caffeinated energy drinks may trigger a psychotic episode in people with mental illness, an expert has warned after documenting the case of a young man with schizophrenia.*
The 27-year-old Maori man had two separate psychotic events a week apart linked to his intake of the drink "Demon Shot". Professor David Menkes said these events occurred at a time when the man, who was prone to persecutory thought and hallucinations, was otherwise responding well to anti-psychotic medication. In the first instance, the man drank two 60ml bottles of Demon Shot and later reported experiencing recurrent thoughts, over several hours, of "people wanting to harm him". "One week later, he drank three Demon Shots over 15 minutes," said Prof Menkes, who is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Auckland University. "He was observed to be emotionally labile (moving from one point to another) - initially laughing and talkative, later becoming restless, withdrawn and argumentative." Other symptoms included a rapid pulse and insomnia, which took 24 hours to subside. The man described again having had paranoid thoughts over several hours and an experience "consistent with a psychotic episode". "The fact that our patient had the same reaction on two distinct occasions is important," Prof Menkes said. He said there were known cases where a high intake of caffeine may exacerbate a psychotic condition although this appeared to be the first linked to consuming energy drinks. The man's case was "evidence that some patients with treated schizophrenia may be vulnerable to exacerbation of their illness by caffeine-containing energy drinks", he said. Demon Shot drinks are widely available in Australia and New Zealand and they contain 200mg of caffeine plus taurine, B vitamins and guarana which may have other stimulant properties. According to its website, each Demon Shot provides a "massive energy hit that delivers up to 6 hours of concentrated mental and physical responsiveness". The drinks also carry a warning which includes it should not be consumed by people sensitive to caffeine, and no more than two drinks a day. The case is detailed in a letter published in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia. http://www.smh.com.au/national/energy-drink-linked-to-psychotic-episodes-20110220-1b0qn.html -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
