Psychiatry Investig.  2011 Dec;8(4):377-380.

Use of Lorazepam in Drug-Assisted Interviews: Two Cases of Dissociative Amnesia

• Lee SS
• Park S
• Park SS

Abstract

Drug-assisted interviews are useful for psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. However, amobarbital, a typical medication used for this purpose, is associated with elevated risk of respiratory depression. Benzodiazepines are good substitutes for amobarbital, with similar therapeutic effects and fewer complications. Although drug-assisted interviews are not widely used, they may be beneficial for selected patients who do not respond to conventional treatments such as supportive psychotherapy or psychopharmacotherapy. We report two cases of dissociative amnesia that were treated using lorazepam-assisted interviews. The use of lorazepam in drug-assisted interviews is effective and safe for resolving dissociative amnesia.

Keyword

Drug-assisted interview; Lorazepam; Dissociative amnesia

MeSH Terms

Amnesia
Amobarbital
Benzodiazepines
Humans
Lorazepam
Mental Disorders
Psychotherapy
Respiratory Insufficiency
Amobarbital
Benzodiazepines
Lorazepam