title: [Hypomania/mania induced by cessation of antidepressant drugs].
abstract: Although rarely reported, the induction of hypomanic/manic episodes due to sudden or gradual cessation of antidepressant drugs is a phenomenon observed in clinical settings. Herein we present 2 patients that had manic episodes induced by gradual cessation of antidepressant drugs. Common features of both cases were as follows: patients were female; a major depressive episode was the reason for starting treatment; familial loading for unipolar depressive disorder; venlafaxine was administered for treatment of the episode; mood elevation symptoms while gradually decreasing the medication dose; absence of physical symptoms related to withdrawal; antipsychotic and mood stabilizing drugs were required for the treatment of the episode. In both cases 1) a hypomanic/manic episode induced by the use of antidepressants, 2) agitated depression, 3) physical withdrawal syndrome, and 4) spontaneous episodes in the natural course of the illness were the 4 different states that were taken into consideration for differential diagnosis. Hypomanic/manic episodes induced by cessation of antidepressant drugs are thought to shed light on the etiology of bipolar disorder, which this report discusses with reference to the case reports.
authors.affiliation: koralar@superonline.com
authors.forename: Kaan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kora
authors.forename: Pelin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride