A leading doctors group is formally withdrawing approval of a 2009 paper on “excited delirium.” Critics say the document has been used to justify excessive force by police.

A leading doctors group on Thursday formally withdrew its approval of a 2009 paper on “excited delirium,” a document that critics say has been used to justify excessive force by police.

The American College of Emergency Physicians in a statement called the paper outdated and said the term excited delirium should not be used by members who testify in civil or criminal cases. The group’s directors voted on the matter Thursday in Philadelphia.

“This means if someone dies while being restrained in custody … people can’t point to excited delirium as the reason and can’t point to ACEP’s endorsement of the concept to bolster their case,” said Dr. Brooks Walsh, a Connecticut emergency doctor who pushed the organization to strengthen its stance.

  • @JaderickEnglish
    63•1 year ago

    Last week I coincidentally listened to the Behind the Bastards episode about excited delirium so this is a pleasant surprise to see this morning.