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Lithium Therapy in Aggressive Mentally Subnormal Patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

P. G. Dale*
Affiliation:
Coldeast Hospital, Sarisbury Green, Southampton

Summary

In a series of fifteen aggressive mentally subnormal patients treated with lithium carbonate, there was an improvement in aggressive behaviour in eleven cases, three patients showed no change and one patient became worse during lithium treatment. The response to lithium therapy was assessed by clinical observation and retrospective analysis of daily ward reports. Treatment had to be discontinued in one patient who developed tardive dyskinesia, but otherwise side effects were not a problem.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1980 

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