title: [20 years unsuccessful prevention of bipolar affective psychosis recurrence].
abstract: A now 73-year-old female patient suffered from bipolar affective disorder for the first time at the age of 28. Despite treatment with all known phase-prophylactic agents (i.e., lithium, carbamazepine, valproate, and various antidepressants) she relapsed frequently. To render matters even more difficult, she easily developed side effects with most medications, particularly anticholinergic ones. In order to reach effective longterm prophylactic treatment, we tried several not yet established therapeutic regimens like clozapine, high-dose L-thyroxine, and maintenance ECT. In this case report we discuss the available literature with special respect to clozapine and maintenance ECT.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrische Klinik und Poliklinik, Freie Universität Berlin.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Godemann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hellweg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D012008:Recurrence; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine