Belgium's College of Public Prosecutors released a joint circular on Monday on dealing with patients suffering from excited delirium syndrome (ExDS) when they experience crises.
ExDS is a serious psycho-medical disorder. “The attitude, aggressiveness and behaviour of a person suffering from this syndrome have a significant influence on their discernment abilities,” the college said in a statement. “The individual concerned presents an immediate danger to their own and others’ safety.”
The risk of death for individuals exhibiting this syndrome should not be underestimated, hence the decision to draft the circular, the prosecutors explained, noting that the document was prepared jointly with the ministers of Justice, the Interior, and Social Affairs and Public Health.
Specific approaches are required for people with ExDS, particularly as they are likely to refuse medical care, show extreme levels of tension, do not tire despite exertion, and no longer respond to pain.
Frequent encounters with ExDS patients in crisis may occur at public events such as festivals or riots, and in nightlife environments. This disorder may also be evident in people with psychiatric or physiopathological disorders who have been arrested or detained.
The circular stresses the importance of adequate training for personnel dealing with these scenarios. Training programmes have been in place since 2021.
