The design of the study included a chart review questionnaire that was systematically applied to the patients' records. The chart review was conducted not only by the clinicians but by other investigators as well. The CGI scores averaged 6.34 at the end of treatment with atypical antipsychotics. The symptoms showing the greatest response included mood and affect, paranoia and fearfulness, suicidal thoughts, affective instability, sleep, controls and impulsivity. Additionally, the medications appeared safe and well-tolerated by the patients.
Corticosteroids are medications that are frequently prescribed for a variety of common illnesses.
However, corticosteroid therapy has been known to produce side effects that include mania, depression, mood lability and psychosis. Researchers in the department of psychiatry at the University of Texas, Southwestern, reported preliminary data from an investigation in which they hope to help resolve the ongoing problem of poorly characterized symptoms and risk factors. Dr. Ayd is editor of the International Drug Therapy Newsletter. For a printed copy of this issue of Psychiatric Times , use the information at the top of this page. Permission to repost or reprint any material on this site must be obtained by contacting the Webmaster .