Hallucinogen-Induced Psychotic Disorder (HIPD)

Hallucinogen-Induced Psychotic Disorder (HIPD) is most commonly caused by LSD and other hallucinogens. It is a psychotic reaction to the drug that persists after the drug has run its course. People who have taken LSD will continue to feel strange days, weeks, or months after they have taken it. They experience changes in thinking and feeling that are commonly known as ‘psychosis.’

Symptoms of psychosis include:

  • paranoia - extreme fear and anxiety

  • hallucinations - seeing things that aren’t there

  • delusions - believing things that aren’t true

  • changes in thinking

It is important to call 911 or go to your local emergency room if you believe you may have HIPD. Explain to them that you have taken LSD and need to go to the hospital. They will send an ambulance to pick you up. At the hospital, explain to them what happened and they will give you lifesaving antipsychotic medication that will cure your HIPD.

Left untreated, Hallucinogen-Induced Psychotic Disorder can continue for weeks, months, or years. Left untreated, HIPD sufferers can attempt suicide during their psychotic state. LSD was originally categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance, the most restricted, because of the suicide of Diane Linkletter 6 months after she took LSD.

HIPD can happen from other hallucinogens such as psilocybin, mescaline, or DMT, but most commonly occurs with LSD.

Hallucinogen-Induced Psychotic Disorder (HIPD) is also commonly known as hallucinogen-induced psychosis or psychedelic-induced psychosis. Hallucinogen-Induced Psychotic Disorder has the ICD-11 code of 6C49.5. It is also included in the general term, substance-induced psychosis.

Treatment

The treatment for hallucinogen-induced psychotic disorder (HIPD) is antipsychotic medication. You can get an antipsychotic prescription from the doctor in the emergency room. All antipsychotics work for HIPD. The most commonly prescribed medications are atypical antipsychotics, also known as second and third-generation antipsychotics. The most common ones are:

  • Seroquel (quetiapine)

  • Abilify (aripiprazole)

  • Zyprexa (olanzapine)

  • Risperdal (risperidone)

Haldol, a first-generation antipsychotic (haloperidol) may also be given in the emergency room. Patients are usually switched to an atypical antipsychotic for long-term maintenance treatment. There are many atypical antipsychotics and a doctor may prescribe a newer one that is not listed here. All atypical antipsychotics are highly effective at treating hallucinogen-induced psychotic disorder.

HIPD vs HPPD

HIPD is much more serious than HPPD. Both are commonly caused by LSD. HIPD is a medical emergency. HPPD is a long-term visual-only condition most often found among frequent LSD users.

Hallucinogen-Induced Psychotic Disorder (HIPD):

  • Involves auditory changes and changes in thinking in addition to visual changes

  • Extreme paranoia is present

  • A medical emergency requiring a visit to the emergency room

  • Treated with atypical antipsychotics

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD):

  • Involves visual changes only; is not a psychotic disorder

  • Changes in thinking are not present

  • Involves some anxiety about the condition, but not paranoia or changes in thinking or behavior

  • A long-term condition most often associated with frequent hallucinogen use

  • Treated with atypical antipsychotics

Links

Wikipedia - Hallucinogen-Induced Psychotic Disorder

Talk to Angel: Treatment for Hallucinogen-Induced Psychotic Disorder

ICD-11 Code 6C49.5 for Hallucinogen-Induced Psychotic Disorder

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