Bromism was once a very common disorder, being responsible for 5 to 10% of psychiatric hospital admissions, but is now uncommon since bromide was withdrawn from clinical use in many countries and was severely restricted in others.

While significant and sometimes serious disturbances occur to neurologic, psychiatric, dermatological, and gastrointestinal functions, death is rare from bromism.

[2] Bromism has also been caused by excessive consumption of soda that contains brominated vegetable oil, leading to headache, fatigue, ataxia, memory loss, and potentially inability to walk as observed in one case.

[3] Bromism is diagnosed by checking the serum chloride level, electrolytes, glucose, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, as well as symptoms such as psychosis.

Furosemide may help aid urinary excretion in individuals with renal impairment or where bromide toxicity is severe.