title: Lithium for irritability in post-traumatic stress disorder.
abstract: Irritability is often a problem for patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We describe two cases that illustrate the use of lithium in the treatment of veterans with PTSD who complained of serious problems with irritability or angry outbursts. These cases are discussed in the context of evidence that lithium may be useful in other patients with disorders of impulse control. The evidence linking disorders of anger and impulse control to a dysregulation in neurotransmitter regulation, particularly in serotonergic pathways, supports a psychopharmacologic approach to treatment. These findings should lead to further study of the role of lithium in the treatment of this symptom complex in patients with PTSD.
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Francisco.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Schoenfeld
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Marmar
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger / Q000187:drug effects*; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007508:Irritable Mood / Q000187:drug effects*; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence
chemical_list: D016651:Lithium Carbonate