A 35-year-old man with alcohol dependence stops drinking. Two days later he develops vivid auditory hallucinations of voices threatening him, but he is fully oriented, has a clear sensorium, normal vital signs, and no tremors. He has no history of psychosis. Which condition is this?

• A Delirium tremens
• B Alcoholic paranoia
• C Schizophreniform disorder
• D Alcohol hallucinosis ✓

Explanation

Alcohol hallucinosis is a rare withdrawal phenomenon occurring within 12 to 48 hours of abstinence in which auditory hallucinations occur in a clear sensorium with otherwise normal mental status and vital signs. This clear consciousness is the discriminating feature, since delirium tremens involves global clouding of sensorium with autonomic instability, tremors, and visual rather than predominantly organized auditory hallucinations.

Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 12th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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