Naltrexone as a treatment of self-injurious behavior--a case report.
OBJECTIVE
Self-injurious (SIB) is a phenomenon associated with different psychopathological conditions such as psychosis, mental retardation and especially severe personality disorders--mainly of the borderline subtype. It has been suggested that a blockade of the endogenous opoid system might lead to a reduction of the urge to SIB.


METHODS
The case and successful treatment of SIB with naltrexone in a patient with borderline personality disorder and dysthymia is described.


RESULTS
After treatment trials with neuroleptics, antidepressants and valproate the patient was treated with naltrexone in a dosis of 50 mg/day and did not show SIB over a follow-up period of 32 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Naltrexone could be effective in reducing SIB in patients with psychiatric disorders by blocking the positive reinforcement of SIB, which is released by the release of endogenous opoides. Placebo-controlled studies of the efficacy of naltrexone in treating SIB should be undertaken.
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Vienna, Austria.
H
H
Griengl
A
A
Sendera
K
K
Dantendorfer
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy*
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone