Treatment of depersonalization disorder with clomipramine.
BACKGROUND
Although there is a dire paucity of data on the pharmacologic treatment of depersonalization disorder, there have been a few reports in the literature suggesting that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be of therapeutic benefit. In this study, we undertook to evaluate the efficacy of the potent serotonin reuptake inhibitor clomipramine in treating depersonalization.


METHODS
Eight subjects with DSM-III-R depersonalization disorder were entered into a double-blind crossover trial consisting of 8 weeks desipramine and 8 weeks clomipramine. Due to the very small size of the trial findings are presented descriptively.


RESULTS
Of 7 subjects who entered the clomipramine trial, two showed significant improvement in depersonalization. Three subjects dropped out early, unable to tolerate adverse effects. Of 6 subjects who entered the desipramine trial, I showed significant improvement in depersonalization. One clomipramine responder was subsequently followed in open maintenance treatment with clomipramine for 4 years, and her depersonalization symptoms remained in almost complete remission, with relapses upon each attempt to taper off or switch medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Clomipramine may be a promising pharmacologic treatment for primary depersonalization disorder and warrants further investigation.
Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Simeon
D J
DJ
Stein
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Hollander
D000328:Adult; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003861:Depersonalization / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D002997:Clomipramine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors