A person presents to OPD with tremors, visual hallucinations after 2 days history of alcohol cessation. Diagnosis is:

Ref. Oxford textbook of Psychiatry. Page. 572    Delirium Tremens / Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium (AWD): Most severe form of ethanol withdrawal manifested by, Mechanism: Altered mental status (Global confusion) Autonomic hyperactivity (Sympathetic overdrive) Alcohol abuse affects neurotransmitter systems in brain mainly by, Loss of GABA inhibitory mechanism - Reduces chloride ion influx. Alcohol acts as NMDA receptor antagonist - Withdrawal increases the excitatory neurotransmitter. The clinical manifestations of ethanol withdrawal are combination effects of GABA & NMDA receptor activity. Thus causing tremors, diaphoresis, tachycardia, anxiety & in severe cases Seizure.