Lithium carbonate in personality disorders: a case of hysteria.
A growing literature--most uncontrolled--suggests that lithium may be useful in the treatment of some non-manic-depressive personality disorders. The diabolical behavior, conversion symptoms, and diffuse violence and cruelty of a young woman responded remarkably to treatment with lithium. Blind substitution of a placebo confirmed a lithium effect. Patients with the DSM-II diagnosis of explosive, antisocial, and hysterical personalities would appear to be the best candidates for a trial of lithium.
D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007046:Hysteria / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos
D010919:Placebos; D008094:Lithium