MDMA("Ecstasy")-Konsum - ein Überblick zu psychiatrischen und medizinischen Folgen
Fortschritte der Neurologie · Psychiatrie – February 01, 1997
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ecstasy (MDMA) use has surged, with significant implications for mental health. Among 48 reported cases of psychiatric complications since the mid-1980s, users experienced acute issues like panic disorders and long-term conditions such as atypical psychoses. Notably, 53 medical complications were documented, including 14 fatalities linked to MDMA abuse. Convulsive seizures are common, alongside serious risks like cerebrovascular accidents. There is a pressing need for larger-scale epidemiological and clinical studies to better understand dependency patterns and predictors of harmful usage.
Abstract
Epidemiological research and Substance Abuse Warning Systems point to a sharp increase in the use of "Ecstasy" (MDMA), as well as to structural changes in the drug scene in and outside Europe. For some consumers, "Ecstasy" opens the door to the abuse of other illegal substances. Since the mid-eighties psychiatric complications and consequences of the abuse of MDMA have been reported in at least 48 cases. It is necessary to differentiate between acute psychiatric complications, which subside completely when the level of intoxication comes down, toxic psychoses and long-term psychiatric diseases as a consequence of substance abuse. The latter involve atypical and paranoid psychoses, depressions, panic disorders, depersonalisation and behavioural disorders. Convulsive seizures are among the most common problems involving the central nervous system. Furthermore, there have been reports on cerebrovascular accidents and intracranial haemorrhages. Literature reports on at least 53 cases of medical complications in abusers of MDMA, 14 of which came to a lethal end. Research still blatantly lacks prospective epidemiological and clinical studies on a sufficiently large scale to identify different developments of dependency and predictors of harmful and unhealthy consumption.