Alcohol-induced depersonalization

Background: A case of alcohol-induced depersonalization disorder is presented. The subject had experienced several depersonalization states following the consumption of alcohol rather than from a psychogenic etiology, and the episodes were transient, not chronic. Methods: Three quantitative EEG (QEEG) studies were performed on the subject, one during the index depersonalization episode and two subsequent studies when the subject was clinically asymptomatic. Results: Slow wave activity (relative theta power) was significantly increased when symptomatic. This slowing was still present over the occiput 3 days after the symptoms had remitted but was absent 17 days after symptoms had ameliorated. Conclusions: The time course of EEG slowing suggests a metabolic encephalopathy, a condition which likely contributes to the manifestations of depersonalization syndrome.