title: Serial sodium Amytal interviews in the clinical setting.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to review the authors' experiences with serial sodium Amytal (amobarbital) interviews and to compare these results with those found in the literature. A chart review of 21 patients with suspected conversion disorder evaluated by Amytal interview was conducted retrospectively. Presenting symptoms included movement disorders, focal neurologic deficits, chronic pain, "spells," and pseudoseizures. The serial Amytal interviews confirmed the presence of psychopathology noted on admission and revealed underlying psychosocial stressors. In 2 of 21 patients, agents other than Amytal were used after the first interview. This series confirms that the serial Amytal interview has utility in the clinical setting as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Fackler
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Anfinson
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rand
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000654:Amobarbital; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D000654:Amobarbital