Delirium tremens is defined here as withdrawal symptoms complicated by disorientation, hallucinations or delusions. Autonomic overactivity is a potentially fatal aspect of this condition. A Clinical Resource and Audit Group (now part of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland) good practice statement on delirium tremens recognises the serious medical aspects of this syndrome and recommends that local protocols for admitting patients with delirium tremens are Although the proportion of such patients seen by psychiatrists varies across Scotland, the majority of cases are treated by the acute medical service. This is because there is often a coexisting medical condition such as pancreatitis, pneumonia or other infection and there may be.
