Bath Salt Induced Psychosis: A Clinical Challenge

Bath salts are a new group of emerging drugs that contain cathinone derivatives and have stimulant-like properties. These drugs are becoming popular as drugs of abuse and have been shown to cause not only medical complications but also induce psychotic-like symptoms in people with no previous psychiatric disorder. Few cases in the literature have shown various psychotic symptoms produced by the use of bath salts as well as treatment options for these patients. This case involves a 19 year old male patient with no prior psychiatric history who presented with symptoms of paranoia, agitation, ideas of reference, grandiosity, hallucinations and disorganized behavior. Urine toxicology was negative however collateral information revealed the recent use of bath salts in the patient. The patient was treated with low-dose anti-psychotic medication to help diminish symptoms. It is important for physicians to be aware of the use of synthetic drugs and recognize the psychiatric effects of these drugs. The use of anti-psychotic medication to minimize symptoms in acute and long-term settings will be discussed.