Divalproex treatment of disruptive adolescents: a report of 10 cases.
BACKGROUND
To report an open trial of divalproex sodium in 10 adolescents with chronic temper outbursts and mood lability.


METHODS
Ten adolescents meeting screening criteria for chronic temper outbursts and mood lability were followed for 5 consecutive weeks on open divalproex sodium treatment. Temper outburst frequency and mood swings severity at pretreatment and posttreatment were compared by using paired t tests. Subjects continued to be followed to judge persistence of response.


RESULTS
All subjects showed clear improvement at 5 weeks and maintained it during follow-up while taking medication. Rapid relapse and recovery occurred in 5 of 6 patients who discontinued and then resumed medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Divalproex sodium may be helpful in teenagers who have explosive tempers and severe mood swings, and benefits may generalize to school and family life.
Donovan
S J
SJ
Department of Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York 10032, USA.
Susser
E S
ES
Nunes
E V
EV
Stewart
J W
JW
Quitkin
F M
FM
Klein
D F
DF
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014635:Valproic Acid